A Bournemouth business has urged victims of domestic abuse to seek support as England football team progresses through Euro 2020.

England will take on Denmark at Wembley in their next match on July 7 and concerns have arisen over the link between football matches and domestic violence.

Julie Johns, Managing Director of the social enterprise Safe Space, said: "Sadly there has long been a culture of domestic abuse amongst some football fans who are also perpetrators of domestic abuse.

“However, neither football or alcohol are the cause of domestic abuse incidents, the need to exert power and control over another is.

“Perpetrators use football and alcohol as the excuse to carry out violence and abuse towards their partners.

“It is important to be aware that domestic abuse/violence is always part of a repeated pattern of behaviour, the seriousness of which can escalate over time and often does during high-profile sporting events and other trigger points throughout the year or life events."

Julie said that if you are a victim of domestic abuse or know someone who is; a family member, friend, work colleague or an employee, it is crucial to get help as soon as possible.

The warning comes after research from the London School of Economics’ Centre for Economic Performance suggested that a football game increases the risk of domestic abuse victimisation.

It suggested that although domestic abuse decreases during the two-hour period when the game is played, abuse starts to increase in its aftermath and its effects peak between 10 and 12 hours following the game.

Some of the ways that you can access help include: BCHA (01202 547755), the BCP Website, the You First website in Dorset, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247), the safe space service 'Ask for Ani' (which provides Safe Spaces in Morrisons, Boots, Superdrug, and other participating pharmacies) and the Safe Space Consultancy (which provides support and training for employers who want to address domestic abuse in the workplace - 07592739183).