A Scottish police force has been praised for tweeting an emotional open letter to women feeling trapped in an abusive relationship.

An officer from Lochaber & Skye police sent out the series of tweets, urging a woman to leave her violent partner. 

Although they read as though directly addressed to one woman, the tweets are in fact “a reach-out to anyone who may be at risk.” 

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The force has been applauded for finding an effective, direct way to communicate with women who are suffering from domestic abuse without putting them at greater risk. 

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Katie Laing, a member of the Hebrides Women’s Network, called it a “genius move”, adding: “I personally know of one domestic abuse victim who saw this today.” 

Another Twitter user said: “This will save lives.”

But it has also prompted an outpouring of survivors sharing their stories of escape and recovery.  

The police force has earned itself a large following online thanks to its witty approach to solving crimes in the highlands and islands of western Scotland. 

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The Twitter account first found fame in January 2016, when a tweet about some lost cocaine was re-tweeted thousands of times.

“If you get back to your house tonight on #Skye and realise your cocaine is missing — we have it in the police station,” it said, using the hashtag #WeNeedAWord. 

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This Police Force Tweeted a Powerful Open Letter to Women in Abusive Relationships

By Imogen Calderwood