ONE hundred and fourteen people have been arrested in a Met Police crackdown on hate crime and domestic violence in the last two days.

Operation Athena, which targeted rape, criminal damage and racially aggravated assault, was timed to coincide with the launch of a new domestic violence advertising campaign, stressing that an arrest can be made without a victim's statement.

Community Safety Units are dropping leaflets and deploying proactive patrols to give crime prevention advice in support of the arrests taking place across London.

The London Criminal Justice Board has also made domestic violence a priority crime.

Assistant Commissioner Steve House said: "Operation Athena shines the light onto those who are committing hate crime and domestic violence and highlights the work our staff are doing day in and out to combat these crimes."

He added: "Domestic violence can take many forms, from violence to emotional abuse. Crimes that can tear the heart out of any family and make victims' lives a misery. Home should be a sanctuary with safety absolutely guaranteed."

Summing up the severity of these crimes, he remarked: "Those who abuse or even physically attack someone based on the colour of their skin, gender or sexuality must realise the seriousness of the offences they are committing.

"I hope that this operation sends a clear and very important message to perpetrators of all these crimes - the police will not tolerate your behaviour, we will arrest you and ensure you are punished for your crime."