Coalition has turned its back on scale of domestic violence, says Yvette Cooper

Senior Labour MP says more needs to be done about fact that two women a week are killed by their partners or ex-partners

The shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has accused the government of turning its back on the scale of domestic violence in the UK, saying there would be a national outcry if two people a week were murdered at football matches.

"I have talked to police officers across the country who say something very different," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "Remember that two women a week are still killed by a partner or an ex. If you had that level of violence at football matches or in town centres across the country there would be a national outcry. Very many of those victims have contacted the police time and time again before they are killed.

Labour confirmed it would look at introducing a specific offence of domestic violence in an effort to increase the falling prosecution rate in such cases, though it would be careful not to set the parameters too wide and risk criminalising arguments between couples

Labour has promised to bring in a violence against women and girls bill that would end the use of community resolutions in cases of domestic violence. These orders for a perpetrator to agree a penalty with the victim, such as an apology or compensation, allow those who commit minor crimes to avoid a criminal record.