BOLTON'S top police officer has admitted the number of reported incidents of domestic violence in the town is "just the tip of the iceberg".

Chief Supt Mel Pelham's chilling claim came as he addressed delegates at the launch of a pioneering project to clamp down on thugs who attack their partners. Statistics showed up to 5,000 victims had contacted the police over the last year.

Bolton has the third highest number of domestic violence attacks in Greater Manchester.

Now the council, police, courts, probation service, Crown Prosecution Service and other voluntary organisations have joined forces to clamp down on the worrying trend in domestic violence.

Representatives of the Domestic Violence Court Project gathered at the town hall to mark the official launch of the initaitive which will offer increased support to victims.

Commenting on the number of reported cases of domestic violence, Mr Pelham told the meeting: "My view is that this is only the tip of the iceberg.

"Domestic violence in Bolton will not be tolerated. It's a most serious offence. It's debilitating to families and survivors."

But Bolton's divisional commander stressed it was a universal problem and Bolton's level of domestic violence was no different to other Greater Manchester boroughs.

Magistrates and court clerks have joined other project representatives to be given special training in domestic violence awareness.

And last night Alex Carlos, clerk to the justices, stressed that any increase in cases would be dealt with by Bolton's judiciary.

He added: "If there's an increase in work load then we at Bolton will manage that."