POLICE in York welcomed an officer from Australia to discuss the best way the force can deal with domestic violence.

First Constable John Hooper, from the Family Violence Unit at Bairnsdale in the state of Victoria, spent time with North Yorkshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit (PVPU) in York.

FC Hooper joined officers from around the city to look at working with housing providers and social care representatives to help tackle domestic abuse.

• Victims of abuse can find out more and get support from the Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) by phoning 03000 110 110 or visiting their website at idas.org.uk