The rate of domestic abuse incidents recorded by police in North Lanarkshire is higher than the Scottish average, according to new figures.
Statistics published by the Scottish Government reveal the police recorded 127 crimes in the area per 10,000 of the population with the average being 116 incidents.
The 2023-24 figures show South Lanarkshire sat on the average at 116.
The definition of domestic abuse used by Police Scotland is: ‘Any form of physical, verbal, sexual, psychological or financial abuse which might amount to criminal conduct and which takes place within the context of a relationship.
The relationship will be between partners (married, cohabiting, civil partnership or otherwise) or ex-partners. The abuse can be committed in the home or elsewhere including online’.
Across Scotland, police recorded 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse in 2023-24 – an increase of three per cent compared to the previous year and the first year to show an increase since 2020-21 at the height of the Covid pandemic.
The type of crime or offence that was most frequently recorded as part of a domestic abuse incident in the last year was common assault, accounting for 31 per cent of all crimes and offences recorded.
At a local authority level, Dundee City (183), West Dunbartonshire (153) and West Lothian (149) recorded the highest incident rates.
Where gender information was recorded, just over four-in-five (81 per cent) incidents of domestic abuse involved a female victim and a male suspected perpetrator. This was the same as in 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Fifteen per cent of domestic abuse incidents involved a male victim and a female suspected perpetrator and nine-in-ten (90 per cent) of all domestic abuse incidents occurred in a home or dwelling.
Half of all victims were ex-partners and just under half (49 per cent) of incidents were between current partners. The 31 to 35 year old age group had the highest rate per 10,000 population for victims (267 incidents).
Around two-thirds of domestic abuse incidents involved a victim and suspected perpetrator who had previously been recorded in a domestic abuse incident.
Siobhian Brown MSP, Victims Minister, said: “Domestic abuse is abhorrent, and while there has been a small increase in the number of incidents reported to police, we know that it is this type of crime that can go unreported. The Scottish Government continues to encourage victims to contact Police Scotland and also seek help and support.
“We are continuing to make changes to the justice system to make it easier to report incidents and we have legislated to give police, prosecutors and the courts greater powers to tackle domestic abuse crimes.
“To support victims, we are providing more than £7.5 million to Women’s Aid groups in 2024-25 through our Delivering Equally Safe Fund and £1.7 million to Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline which provides round the clock support – 0800 027 1234.”
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