Innovative measures designed to tackle domestic abuse are set to be used over Christmas.

West Midlands Police has developed a series of postcards and beer mats urging potential abusers to seek help.

Postcards feature images aimed at making offenders think about the consequences of their actions and the negative impact it has on children.

One postcard features a young boy sitting next to a Christmas tree. The slogan reads – “All I want for Christmas is for daddy to stop hurting mummy.”

Another card features two young boys huddled together on the stairs listening to their mother being abused by their father. The message on the front reads: “Domestic abuse, you can’t hide it from them.”

On the back of the postcards is a message to offenders saying they can change their behaviour and a contact number for a charity called Respect that can help abusers.

The postcards will be distributed in supermarkets, social centres, snooker halls, golf clubs, pubs, leisure centres and will be made available to probation officers and domestic abuse offenders with bail conditions.

Beer mats have been designed that ask: “What you givin’ your missus for Christmas?” on one side and on the other side “If it’s a black eye, police will lock you up. Violence is a choice. You could lose your family.”

The postcards and beer mats have been designed in consultation with Sandwell Women’s Aid.

Messages reminding people the police will not tolerate domestic abuse will also be transmitted using Bluetooth technology in areas known for high incident reporting of domestic abuse.

Anyone arrested for domestic violence offences over the festive period faces the prospect of spending time in custody over Christmas. Police will seek to use bail conditions to protect victims, and in some cases this will prevent offenders from returning to the family home.

Inspector Kay Wallace, from West Midlands Police, said: “We are always looking for new ways of engaging with offenders. If we can help someone re-think their behaviour so we do not have to intervene that is a positive result.

“However, this does not replace traditional policing and we will take action where necessary and arrest any domestic abuse offenders.”