LIVERPOOL Council’s two party leaders strapped on high heels and strutted their support for victims of domestic abuse as new figures showed the extent of the problem across Merseyside.

Council leader Cllr Joe Anderson and opposition leader Cllr Warren Bradley even got into the Bluecoat bed together as part of White Ribbon Day, when men speak out against abuse.

More than 30 men tottered through the city centre to sign a pledge at the Bluecoat during the These Heels Are Made For Walking event.

Last year, there were more than 29,000 reported incidents of domestic abuse across Merseyside – almost three times the capacity of the Echo Arena.

Police figures showed north Liverpool had the worst record, with 7,700 cases and the highest proportion relative to its population.

Knowsley, where there were almost 3,600 cases, was second worst proportionally, and St Helens third worst. Sefton, Wirral and South Liverpool also had thousands of cases.

Detective Inspector Sally Johnson, from Merseyside Police’s public protection unit, said: “Domestic abuse is not just about physical or sexual violence. It can also be emotional, financial or psychological.

“We want victims of any of these forms of abuse to be aware they do not have to suffer in silence – there is help out there for them and we will treat every report sensitively.

“We also want friends, family and neighbours of victims who suspect domestic abuse is taking place to help us take action against the offenders by contacting us.

“In particular, we want to reach out to men to contact us to help put an end to the abuse.”