DOMESTIC violence crimes recorded in Southampton  have increased for the fourth consecutive year.

More than 3,000 domestic violence crimes were recorded by Hampshire

Constabulary for Southampton in 2017/18, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) can reveal.

This represents a 7% increase from 2016/17, according to a recent report published by Southampton City Council (SCC).

The news comes after it was revealed that domestic violence accounted for almost 30% of all violent crimes in the city.

The new report  revealed that domestic abuse rates are almost eight times higher in the most deprived neighbourhoods of Southampton compared to the least deprived neighbourhoods,  with Bevois, Bitterne and Millbrook being among the areas most affected.

According to the data, the offenders in the city are typically male (74.6%), perpetrate within intimate partner relationships (87%) and more than a third are aged 25-34 years old.

Tara Doel, from the Southampton-based charities Yellow Door and Women’s Aid, said: “In terms of the reasons for numbers rising it is difficult to quantify however over the last few years there has been big media around these issues which has seen an increase in people coming forward to seek help and report.”

According to the report, nationally the number of recorded crimes has been increasing. The document says the rise is due to police forces improving their identification and recording of domestic abuse and an increased willingness by victims to come forward.

Civic chiefs in Southampton are now urging more victims to come forward.

Cllr Dave Shields, cabinet member for healthier and safer city, said: “I would encourage any individual to report instances of abuse to the police, or if they are a council tenant, to one of our Domestic Abuse Champions.

"Together, we’re taking firm action to help reduce domestic abuse in Southampton and make a real difference to residents’ safety across the city.”

As part of a crackdown on domestic violence crimes, 17 members of SCC’s Housing Service will now undergo specialist training so they can act as leads for domestic abuse cases, advise and support colleagues on the management of individual cases, and ensure victims among Southampton’s 16,000 council homes have access to local resources and specialist domestic abuse support.