Seven boroughs in south London have launched a two-year programme which aims to tackle domestic abuse.

Lambeth Council will lead the Prevent and Change programme in partnership with Merton, Lewisham, Southwark, Kingston, Richmond and Wandsworth.

The councils expect to receive more than 50 referrals per borough per year, or 700 over the two-year period.

Specialist providers will be commissioned to deliver different aspects of Prevent and Change.

The Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme, a branch of mental health charity Richmond Fellowship, will deliver one to one and group interventions for perpetrators, particularly those with multiple needs, to help stop abusive behaviour.

Refuge, the UK’s largest domestic abuse organisation, will deliver support for victims and survivors, working alongside local commissioned services and coordinating their work across the boroughs.

The Cambridge Centre for Evidence-Based Policing will evaluate the programme over its two-year lifespan.

Lambeth Council said Prevent and Change would enhance the boroughs’ understanding of harmful behaviours within diverse and marginalised groups, helping the boroughs to offer community-informed responses.

Cabinet member for safer communities at Lambeth, Cllr Dr Mahamed Hashi, said: ‘We are taking an inclusive and collaborative approach by working with a range of key partners, ensuring that residents who have experienced violence against women and girls are at the centre of our work.

‘This type of London wide collaboration, alongside leading national projects and partners, is essential and demonstrates our commitment to make a real improvement to the safety of women and girls.’