The number of domestic abuse crimes in Aberdeenshire and Moray has fallen in the last year – and last night police warned offenders there were “no hiding place.”
There were 1,301 incidents of domestic abuse reported between April 1 and December 23, compared to 1,714 over the same period last year.
Last night, police welcomed the 24% reduction but said they would maintain their “no nonsense approach” to dealing with domestic abuse.
Detective Inspector Fiona Topping, of Aberdeenshire and Moray’s domestic abuse investigations unit, said there were several factors that could increase tensions at home, which may worsen over the festive period.
She said: “We find the number of domestic incidents reported to us increases at this time of year, and that can be for a number of reasons: alcohol, financial problems, family and social gatherings, and even confinement at home due to bad weather.
“Domestic abuse is not acceptable at any time of the year, but at this time of year we understand there are additional pressures and will deal with all reports of domestic abuse robustly. You are not alone, support is available and we will do something about it.
“If you abuse your partner, we will find you. There is no hiding place.”
Nationally, 80% of incidents involve a female victim and a male perpetrator, with 41% involving ex-partners.
DI Topping said the worst culprits were aged 41-51, followed by the 26-30 and 31-35 age brackets.
The domestic abuse investigation unit for Aberdeenshire and Moray is made up of eight officers in Inverurie, Ellon, Fraserburgh and Elgin.
DI Topping said: “We deal with the more complex and serious complaints and this may involve historic incidents, and may also involve previous partners. We make direct approaches to previous partners and we often find that there has been domestic abuse within previous relationships.
“A conviction for domestic abuse is nothing to be proud of. You often hear the term ‘it’s just a domestic’, but that’s not acceptable in this day and age. We take domestic abuse seriously because of the severity of the consequences for the victim and any children that could be in the household and any other family members.
“We would encourage family, friends and neighbours to report any concerns they may have about persons they feel are being subjected to domestic abuse.”