THE police and crime commissioner for Wiltshire has welcomed tougher sentencing guidelines for those convicted of domestic abuse.

Angus Macpherson backed the new Sentencing Council guidelines, which will take effect in May, which says that domestic abuse is more serious than offending outside of the home. This includes physical, emotional and psychological violence.

“Violence has no place in a civilised society – and most definitely no place in the home,” he said.

“Whilst this review is overdue, I’m pleased that it recognises the advancements in digital technology and the ways in which this can be used to harass and control victims. I’m committed to ensuring that we will protect and support victims of domestic abuse.”

More than 4.3m women and 2.4m men, aged 16-59, experienced some form of domestic abuse in the year to March 2017.