GOVERNMENT plans to criminalise domestic abuse involving bullying and intimidation but without violence have been welcomed by Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire.

She said that having heard the personal stories of many victims of domestic abuse over the last few years, it was clear that more needed to be done not only about violence, but also non-violent abusive behaviour.

She said that although the full detail of the proposals weren’t known, they appeared to be a positive step forward for victims of domestic abuse.

The commissioner recently announced a 140 per cent increase in funding of independent domestic and sexual violence advisors, which would see up to 570 extra victims receiving support each year.