HC Deb 14 May 2002 vol 385 cc610-1W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of domestic violence were reported to the Metropolitan Police in each of the last three years. [54189]

Mr. Denham

Details of the numbers of domestic violence incidents in the Metropolitan Police force area, obtained from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Annual Statistical Return from the force, are given in the following. The definition of domestic violence incidents used for the figures for 1998&99 is as follows:

"Any form of physical, sexual or emotional abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship. In most cases, the relationship will be between partners, married, cohabiting or otherwise; or ex-partners".

The figures for 1999–2000 and 2000–01 used the following definition:

Any violence between current or former partners in an intimate relationship, wherever and whenever the violence occurs. The violence may include physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse.

The figures for 1998–99 are therefore not directly comparable with those for 1999–2000 and 2000–01.

Domestic violence incidents—Metropolitan Police force area
Year Number of incidents
1998–99 41,531
1999–2000 77,099
2000–01 91,154