NORTH Wales Police is rolling out a Domestic Violence and Abuse training and education package for employees in the hair and beauty industry in the Wrexham area.

The aim is to help employees identify the signs of domestic abuse.

Sophie Daly said: “Our aim is to provide training to hair and beauty salon owners, employees and students to help them identify the signs of their clients being abused and what they can then do to help, by signposting them to support agencies available to them.

“One in four women and one in six men will be affected at some time in their lives by domestic abuse. On average two women are killed by their partner or ex-partner every week in England and Wales.

“Now that the lockdown rules are being relaxed, and given the close and often unnoticed relationship between staff and customers, who may notice injuries and signs of abuse or even receive disclosures, the training packs equip staff with the knowledge and confidence to signpost victims to the right agencies.

“As we are all operating under restrictions due to the Covid 19 outbreak, I will be providing details and contact numbers to salons and barbers in the Wrexham area and contacting them to arrange a ‘conference call’ with me, a Response Officer and a Domestic Abuse Officer.

“This will be followed up with leaflet drops promoting face to face contact under social distancing measures.”

Tackling domestic abuse is one of the key priorities under the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Plan and remains at the top of North Wales Police agenda.