Domestic abuse crimes rocketed by 14 per cent in North Ayrshire in thre first three months of 2023, compared to last year, worrying new figures have revealed.

But last Monday's meeting of the North Ayrshire police and fire and rescue committee heard there has been a reduction on the five-year average of 3.6 per cent.

More recent figures showed May recorded fewer crimes than the other months and is well below the five-year average figure compared with 2022-23.

The domestic abuse investigation and safeguarding team in Ayrshire continue to offer the victims in all domestic cases reported a follow-up contact from the department.

Meanwhile, applications for the disclosure scheme for domestic abuse Scotland (DSDAS)  are going up. During the reporting period, they processed 79 applications – an increase of 44 per cent on the previous year.

The domestic abuse investigation unit (DAIU) remains committed to the delivery of the violence against women and girls strategy for North Ayrshire.

Rape crimes reported in the first quarter this year have reduced, compared with both last year and the five-year average. Four of these are non-recent crimes, of which two were domestic related.

Sexual assaults have seen a marked increase during the first three months of this year on  last year and the five-year average.

Of the 29 reported crimes, five are non-recent, and four are domestic related. Nine crimes have been reported by one individual against the same male.

During quarter one,  there have been a total of 17 individuals (three males, 14 females) aged 17 or younger who have reported a recent sexual crime (a total of 30 crimes reported by these individuals).

A further nine crimes were reported to have taken place between 2020 and 2022 which involved five individuals (one male, four females) who are still under 18 years of age.

Police Scotland say targeting sexual crime remains a priority for the service while North Ayrshire domestic abuse champions continue to engage with partners to develop support networks for those impacted by violence against women and girls.