BOLTON today declared war on domestic violence as shocking figures revealed 4,500 reported incidents over the last 12 months.

And experts are convinced the true scale of the problem is even greater, with up to one in four women being victims of abuse.

The town currently has the third highest domestic violence rate in Greater Manchester.

This accounts for a quarter of all violence cases reported over the last two years. But campaign groups warn the real figure is much higher because too many women are too scared to report their tormentors to the police.

A new multi-agency project was launched this afternoon to raise awareness of the issue and improve the way cases are dealt with in the courts.

The new project will identify domestic violence cases and follow them through the courts.

More information and support will be given to victims while the project aims to improve co-ordination between different agencies involved.

Domestic violence awareness training has also been given to 100 staff from the key agencies involved - including magistrates - to improve their knowledge of the problem.

And the project has been hailed by the town's victim's groups as a big step forward.

Lesley Daniels, manager of Bolton Victim Support, said: "We are totally committed to this initiative.

"We are expecting women now to be able to access the courts and be able to prosecute. "We want to tell the perpetrators they can't get away with it. We are quite confident that this initiative is going to make an impact."

Arlene Cochrane, project manager of the women's refuge Fortalice, said: "There are quite a lot of women that withdraw charges either before or at the point of going to court.

"This is mainly because they are frightened of the consequences of further violence.

"Hopefully this project will have a bearing on the support that women have and the numbers that actually do go through the courts."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said the new project would give victims more confidence that they would be supported by the courts.

He added: "Offenders will receive a clear message that their behaviour, when brought to the attention of the police and the courts, will be dealt with in a manner which reflects the seriousness of the offence.

"It will also help the local public have confidence in the way such cases will be handled within the criminal justice system."

Bolton has traditionally been near the top of the county's domestic violence league and topped it in 1995 and 1998.

Campaigners blame the town's high poverty and unemployment rates.

But they also say its figures are high because of successful past efforts to persuade victims to report cases of domestic violence.

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