A THREE-FOLD increase in domestic abuse incidents will be reported by the Borders’ police commander at a meeting of the council’s Police, Fire and Rescue and Safer Communities Board tomorrow.
Chief Supt Jeanette McDiarmid will reveal a 329 per cent increase in the number of domestic abuse crimes compared to the first half of the last financial year.
However, the detection rate has also increased, rising to almost 87 per cent.
In notes on the performance figures, Chief Supt McDiarmid states: “It is pleasing to note that detection rates have risen during a period when more focus has been given to this area of criminality.
“As a result of this focus, crimes have increased significantly from 75 to 322 (up 329 per cent) while detections have increased from 61 to 280 (up 359 per cent).”
The figures also reveal a slight fall in the overall detection rate, just 0.7 per cent.
However, in the notes Chief Supt McDiarmid adds: “The detection rate is marginally lower than that seen in the period last year, but it is hoped this will fall back in line going forward in the current year.
“It is also noteworthy that recorded crime, although slightly increased on last year, is below the previous five-year average. This has been achieved in continuous challenging financial times.”