Two hundred and fifty Taranaki families have had Christmas letters from the police as part of a nationwide attempt to prevent domestic violence.
The New Plymouth police get at least 20% more domestic violence calls than average in December, so they have sent letters to families involved in violent incidents since June.
Counties-Manukau police have been sending letters for five years, and variations of their campaign have spread as far as Invercargill.
Detective Sergeant David Beattie says money worries and alcohol are a potent mix. He says families who drew police attention more than once have also been visited by officers offering support for a violence-free holiday.
