Businesses across West Dunbartonshire have joined forces with Police Scotland to tackle the area’s domestic abuse problem.

The initiative will educate local employers about the harmful behaviours associated with the issue in order to recognise them and raise awareness within the workplace.

Through collaborative working with partners to deliver education, training and the development of duty of care policies, the initiative aims to reduce domestic abuse in the area and encourage more people to report it.

In a damning report, the area was revealed as the worst offending in Scotland when 707 incidents were recorded in 2016 - or just short of two incidents of domestic abuse a day.

And earlier this year, Beth Culshaw, chief officer of West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership, admitted the problem is so deep-rooted in Dumbarton and the Vale that ongoing work to tackle the epidemic had failed to have an effect.

A number of different schemes have been launched by West Dunbartonshire Council, including the No Home for Domestic Abuse in June.

The newly launched campaign between police and businesses sees the Golden Jubilee Hospital, West of Scotland College Campus in Clydebank, Aggreko and Chivas (Pernod Ricard) all taking part in the training which will be facilitated by Medics Against Violence.

The first training session was held in the Golden Jubilee last week.

Detective Superintendent Calum Young from West Dunbartonshire CID said: “We all have a part to play in tackling this issue and local employers involved in this initiative are helping us send a clear message that there is no place for domestic abuse in West Dunbartonshire.

“Domestic abuse comes in many forms and is not only about physical violence. Controlling behaviour, emotional abuse and intimidation can also be serious factors.

“This programme will provide companies with important information about the different harmful behaviours associated with this issue and how to identify and raise awareness of them.”

Dr Christine Goodall, Medics Against Violence, said: “It is very encouraging that the police of West Dunbartonshire are being so proactive in engaging local employers around the issue of domestic abuse.

“Medics Against Violence are delighted to be partnering with them in delivering this training, which we hope will raise awareness of a serious problem