THE parents of a teenager — killed when her partner threw her down the stairs — have backed a police crackdown on domestic violence before the World Cup.

Carly Fairhurst died aged just 19 in 2006 when her partner Darren Pilkington knocked her down a flight of stairs.

Pilkington is still serving an indeterminate sentence for her manslaughter and her parents, Trevor and Sheila Fairhurst, have since campaigned for victims of crime to be given more rights.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is urging the public to report any instances of domestic abuse as the England squad prepare to start their tournament in Brazil on Saturday.

On the day England were knocked out of the 2010 tournament by Germany, police recorded a 43 per cent increase in the number of 999 calls made on the average June Sunday.

Mr Fairhurst from Hindley Green, said: “Hopefully this campaign will get people to come forward and report abuse.

“It does not necessarily have to be to the police, as you can go to a doctor, nurse or support agency.

“There has been a marked improvement in the responses, especially from the police, and we are happy to help them front this campaign.”

Pilkington, then aged 24, met Carly after she wrote to him while he was in prison.

He had already been convicted of manslaughter at the age of 18.

Det Chf Supt Vanessa Jardine, from GMP’s Public Protection Division, said: “We want to make it clear to those offenders that this year’s event as with any sporting event will not be used as a way of justifying such abusive behaviour.”

Specialist domestic abuse officers will be on duty at key times throughout the tournament, while leaflets and posters are being issued to encourage victims, and their families and friends, to report instances of abuse.

The World Cup campaign is being supported by North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Women’s Aid, Victim Support and the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors.

For more information or to report abuse, call police on 101 or the Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0161 6367525.