The study is by Cumbria County Council's scrutiny panel, responsible for improving people's safety.

Domestic violence and abuse accounts for nearly 20% of violent crime across the country, but the figure is nearer 25% in Cumbria.

Among the study's suggestions were more frontline staff training, financial support and education programmes.

'Changing environment'

The report calls for robust systems so support groups and agencies can monitor and evaluate the outcomes of their work.

It recognises the "strong strategic commitment" at the Cumbria Domestic Violence Strategic Management Board but highlights a lack of financial support from statutory bodies involved.

Chair of the council's scrutiny panel responsible for improving the safety of people's lives, Councillor Anne Glendinning, said: "There's been some excellent groundwork laid down over the last three years.

"But there's a changing environment and more preventative work needs to be done to support the protection and prosecution work."

Cabinet member for public protection Councillor Geoff Hodgson said many of the recommendations had already been addressed since the review was carried out.

But he said tackling domestic violence needed to remain a priority.