Domestic violence is mostly thought of as an offence by men

Police chiefs may change national guidelines on domestic violence to cover the worrying development.

The Association of Chief Police Officers is to examine work being carried out by Merseyside Police into child-to-adult domestic violence.

The force is the first to appoint an officer to tackle the issue of children who attack and abuse their parents.

It is also the only force in the country to redefine the term domestic violence to include children.

New policies in dealing with child-to-adult domestic violence are now being drawn up for Merseyside - and it is likely ACPO will use these as a basis for any change in the national guidelines.

ACPO says its current definition of domestic violence only relates to adults but the term is being redefined to include violence between any family members - including children.

Officers specialising in domestic violence are already having to deal with increased reports of violence perpetrated by women against their partners.