POLICE in the Borders have welcomed an increase in reported incidents of domestic violence.
Between April and December last year, a total of 720 incidents of domestic violence were reported to local police, an increase of more than 100 compared to the same period in 2011.
The number of referrals to the local domestic violence service also increased, from 20 in the last nine months of 2011 to 136 between April and December last year.
Superintendent Andrew Allan, local area commander, said: “The increase in crimes of domestic violence and repeat victimisation should be currently viewed as a positive step as more victims are taking up the DAAS (Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support) referral scheme and are engaging more with police and partner agencies, and showing more confidence in reporting crimes of this nature.”
Supt Allan added that the ‘ground-breaking’ multi-agency Pathway project in the Borders was a major success.