§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many incidents of domestic violence there were in each year since 1997 in Wales; [56175]
(2) how many incidents of domestic violence there were in each year since 1997 in Lancashire. [56174]
§ Mr. DenhamDetails of the numbers of domestic violence incidents in Wales and Lancashire, obtained from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Annual 843W Statistical Return from police forces, are given. The definition of domestic violence incidents used for the figures up to 1998–99 was 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 up to 1998–99 are therefore not directly comparable with those for 1999–2000 and 2000–01. Changes in numbers of domestic violence incidents recorded may be due to increased willingness on the part of victims to report these crimes, and to changes in force policy in how to handle and record such incidents. In particular, Lancashire changed their recording and reporting procedures in the 2000–01 financial year, resulting in a higher figure for that year.
Number of domestic violence incidents Year Wales Lancashire 1996–97 21,068 6,216 1997–98 21,160 5,760 1998–99 17,913 6,778 1999–2000 17,159 8,560 2000–01 15,763 17,392