Domestic violence attacks are likely to rise over the festive season, police have said as they urge victims to report abuse.

Statistics show that reports of domestic abuse in Norfolk traditionally rise from about 250 reports in a normal week to about 300 at this time of year as tensions run high at Christmas.

But Det Sgt Ian Fox said these figures masked the full extent of the problem as many people chose not to report minor offences as they did not want to disrupt the family-orientated occasion.

This means the police often only hear about the more serious incidents and many more may be suffering in silence.

He said: 'There are a number of reasons why we see an increase in domestic violence at Christmas.

'It is obviously a time when family is important and if there are issues over child contact, for example if a woman has left an abusive partner, perpetrators may use Christmas as an excuse to get back in touch.

'Alcohol consumption also plays a part as do extreme emotions. While Christmas is a very happy time for many people, it can also be very sad for others.

'There is also the possibility that financial pressures will be greater this year and that may be used as an excuse for some people to carrying out abuse.'

Figures show domestic-related crimes in Norfolk to have risen to 3,249 in 2010, from 2,974 in 2009 and 2,853 in 2008. Although most victims were women, about 25pc were men.

A larger proportion of male victims are subject to serious attacks. Mr Fox said that because men were physically stronger, female abusers often used weapons.

He said: 'There is certainly a stigma around a man being a victim of domestic abuse. But we've seen an increase in reports over recent years and take this as a positive sign that men feel able to come forward.'

The force is urging victims to come forward. Victims should feel able to contact the force over the festive period - or at any time of year.

Pro-active work to target known offenders will also be carried out.

Mr Fox said: 'We draw up a list of people who we feel would benefit from random, unannounced visits by our safer neighbourhood teams.

'This has a two-fold effect: one - the general reassurance to these victims that the police will respond and they do know their circumstances.

'The other added benefit is that a victim who is under pressure from a perpetrator to let him or her back into the household can justifiably say, 'the police can be round at any moment, they are checking up on me'.'