POLICE are responding to an average of five domestic abuse incidents in Dumfries and Galloway homes per day, the latest figures show.
Police Scotland stats revealed that, between April 1 and September 30 this year, there were 867 domestic abuse incidents recorded in Dumfries and Galloway.
While the number of domestic abuse attacks locally have been sadly climbing in recent years, the region’s police commander confirmed that there has also been a rise in members of the public standing up to these crimes.
More neighbours, friends, and relatives of domestic abuse victims are bravely reporting incidents to police.
Speaking at Dumfries and Galloway Council’s police, fire, and rescue sub-committee, Chief Superintendent Steven Meikle said: “We do continually encourage victims to come forward.
“We are seeing an increase in third party reporting of domestic abuse offences, which I think is a positive thing – as it’s evidence that it’s no longer considered to be a behind closed doors attitude.
“The public are confident in reporting these offences to us.”
Mr Meikle presented his six month police performance report to councillors, providing a breakdown of various crimes committed between April 1 and September 30 this year.
Dee and Glenkens Councillor Andy McFarlane said: “Disorder complaints are down by 18 percent, and the domestic violence ones have increased by almost the same number.
“I’m wondering if you think the cost of living crisis is impacting on that, where people are under stress and therefore you’re getting more domestic violence incidents.
“But equally they’re not going out and socialising the way they did, so you don’t get the public disorder in that respect.
Police chief Meikle replied: “I think that would be very difficult for me to say. All I can emphasise is that we are here to support victims of domestic abuse.”
The sobering figures come just weeks after another report highlighted how violence against women and girls continues to rise in Dumfries and Galloway.
There were a total of 2495 referrals made to specialist Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) services between 2022 and 2024 – an increase of 24 percent on the previous two-year period.
This data was revealed in a Dumfries and Galloway Violence Against Women and Girls biennial report (2022-24).
