THE region’s first elected police chief has thrown his weight behind the bid to end domestic violence.

Bill Longmore, police and crime commissioner for the West Mercia force area, appeared at the University of Worcester’s St John’s campus in Henwick Avenue to back 16 Days of Action.

The campaign, which came to an end yesterday and has been backed by the Worcester News, is aimed at highlighting the plight of those who suffer domestic abuse.

Ruth Jones, a senior lecturer at the university and member of the Worcestershire Forum Against Domestic Abuse, said: “We’ve had great support.”

Mr Longmore added: “It’s a very important campaign and I support it.”

Your Worcester News has been carrying a white ribbon – the symbol of the campaign – on its newspaper masthead throughout the campaign.