LOCKDOWN RISE IN DOMESTIC ABUSE

DOMESTIC abuse accounted for one in five crimes reported during the first lockdown, with two incidents every minute, figures have revealed.

Police recorded 259,324 offences from March to June – up seven per cent from 242,413 over the same period last year and an 18 per cent rise compared to 2018.

Analysis by the Office for National Statistics revealed a fifth of all crimes were linked to domestic abuse. Helen Ross, from the ONS Centre for Crime and Justice, said: “There has been an increase in demand for domestic abuse support during the pandemic, particularly following the easing of lockdown measures in May.

“Data suggests experiences may have intensified during the lockdown and victims faced difficulties in seeking support.”