There has been a surge in domestic abuse reported to police in Gloucestershire, according to official figures.
The rate of domestic abuse has continued to increase year on year and it rose 45% from 2018/19 to 2019/20.
These incidents accounted for 13% of all crime reported to Gloucestershire Constabulary and 38% of all violence against the person crimes.
The pandemic saw a drop in reported domestic abuse but it accounted for the same proportion of all crime during that period.
The rate of domestic abuse crimes per 1000 of the population in Gloucestershire is 8.25 in the current 2020/21 financial year.
And between 75-78% of victims were recorded as women with the majority aged between 25-34.
The highest rates of domestic abuse in the county have been recorded within Gloucester.
And a council report says there is a clear link with the most deprived neighbourhoods with a rate of 64 domestic abuse crimes per 1000 of the population within communities that fall within the most deprived 20% of England.
Westgate has the highest rate of domestic abuse reported in the county which is eleven times the county rate and five times the rate for Gloucester district as a whole.
This figure relates to incidents that are reported that occur in public as well as to incidents occurring in individual households.
Councillors will consider a new strategy to tackle domestic abuse in Gloucestershire at the health and wellbeing board next week.
The new strategy will run from 2021 to 2024.
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter