Police officers in Christchurch are to start calling unannounced on homes they believe may be prone to family violence, in the aftermath of the quake.
While there has not been a surge in domestic violence following last month's quake, the police say they are aware that as winter arrives and patience starts to wear thin, violence rates may start to climb.
Northern Area Operations Commander Dave Lawry says there are already vulnerable families whom police know have been subjected to repeated domestic violence.
He says officers will randomly visit those families to check that everything is okay and ask if there is anything police can do to help, or anyone they can put them in touch with to help reduce any stress.
