POLICE in Lancashire today urged victims of domestic violence to break their silence and told them: "Do not be afraid to speak out."

Despite 18,000 incidents of the crime being reported in the county last year Detective Inspector Joyce Green, domestic violence co-ordinator for Lancashire, said it is mostly being kept behind closed doors.

DI Green said: "It is very much a hidden crime and there is still this perceived stigma attached of being a victim of domestic crime.

"People don't like to admit they are having problems with domestic violence.

"Lancashire Police encourages people to come forward if they are in a situation and finding it difficult to cope with."

DI Green was one of a number of speakers at a meeting of Hyndburn Council's policy and resources committee on the subject held at the Globe Centre in Accrington.

Speaking later she said that information donated by Lancashire Police over a 24 hour period had been collated among that from other areas by Scotland Yard to reveal shocking figures.

Every 20 seconds someone somewhere will be a victim of domestic violence.

Vivien Blackledge, from the Hyndburn Domestic Forum, which hosted the meeting, said: "If that statistic shocks you, then I make no apology for it. "We need to shock people to press home just how serious a problem domestic violence is, not just nationally, but right here on our doorsteps too."

Nationally an estimated six million cases were reported last year. According to the British Crime Survey that is only 12-20 per cent of actual cases.

Mrs Blackledge said: "It isn't just women who suffer, men can be the victims too. But it is mainly the women, and in many cases, the children can suffer either emotional of physical abuse as well."

Already this year the forum, which offers housing and counselling for victims, has dealt with more than 200 women, more than in the whole of last year, with more women being referred to the service by the police as each year passes.

DI Green said: "Lancashire Police has a very strong policy against domestic violence and our officers are encouraged to make arrests where appropriate."