Police will deliver personal warnings to known domestic abusers ahead of today's game as part of a pioneering strategy responding to dramatic spikes in male violence against women and children around Old Firm matches.
In 2011, Strathclyde police found that on Old Firm days domestic abuse incidents increased by up to 138.8% on Saturdays, followed by an increase of up to 96.6% on Sundays, and an increase of up to 56.8% on weekdays. Further analysis by the Scottish government reported incidents of domestic abuse increased by a third on weekends when Old Firm fixtures were held.
Chief Superintendent Andy Bates said: "There have been, in the past, spikes in domestic abuse incidents associated with Old Firm Games.
"For these games at the weekend we will have additional officers who will be dealing with that as it happens.
"This will be proportionate to the threat and based on the spikes we've seen in the past."
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