Police Scotland responds to calls about domestic abuse every eight minutes

More than 66,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to police in Scotland in the 12 months to September this year – with officers dealing with a call every eight minutes, the force said.

However, it insisted its “relentless” focus on tackling the problem had seen 32 “high harm and serious” offenders sentenced to more than 228 years in prison during 2025.

That includes Stewart Fleming, 31, who was sentenced to 17 years in prison in November after being found guilty of six charges of rape, one charge of sexual assault and three of assault to injury.

Fleming was also convicted of offences under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act – with the five women who were his victims all being known to him.

He was one of 32 offenders who between them were convicted of a total of 240 offences, thanks to investigations carried out by Police Scotland’s Domestic Abuse Task Force.

All the crimes were committed against women and children – with a total of 110 victims involved, in cases that included rape, sexual assault, stalking, permanent disfigurement, and danger to life, as well as threats being made against pets.

However Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said that Police Scotland officers are “determined to ensure women and girls live free from violence and abuse”.

The senior officer added: “We are relentless in our focus on tackling domestic abuse. It will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.”

His comments came as figures showed that from October 2024 through to September 2025, more than 66,000 incidents of domestic abuse were reported to the police, with two fifths (40.3%) of these resulting in a crime being recorded.

Crimes of domestic abuse over the period April to September were 10% higher than the same period of 2024 – although detection rates had increased by almost 8%.

Mr Johnson, Police Scotland’s executive lead for major crime, public protection, and local crime, said: “We tackle violence against women and girls every day of the year, preventing harm and bringing offenders to justice.

“We don’t do this alone but work with partners to identify and address the societal issues at the root of gender-based violence, so that we can stop abusive behaviour before it begins.”

He was also clear that “no-one should have to experience abuse” with the policeman adding his force is “committed to supporting all victim-survivors, protecting them, and investigating every report of domestic abuse so they can come forward with confidence”.

He told those who have suffered abuse: “Help is available, and you don’t have to face this alone.

“As we look ahead to 2026, our message to offenders remains the same. If you continue to abuse and exhibit abusive behaviour, you will be caught and anyone who continues to abuse will face the full force of the law.”

Speaking to the Press Association on Monday, First Minister John Swinney said it was for men to improve their behaviour to counter domestic abuse.

“Domestic abuse is intolerable in our society and what Police Scotland are doing to tackle that and to address the complaints made to them by the victims of domestic abuse is absolutely correct,” he said.

“The way we stop domestic violence is for men to behave better towards their loved ones and, especially, their partners. It’s important that message is communicated very directly by me, that men’s behaviour is at the heart of domestic violence.”

Scottish Tory MSP Pam Gosal, who has proposed a Bill to create a domestic abuse register similar to that currently in place for sex offences, laid the blame at the Government’s door.

“These figures expose a devastating truth: under the SNP, victims of domestic abuse are being failed again and again,” she said.

“While cases soar, this Government has dragged its heels for years on the protections women urgently need.

“My Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill would finally change that – giving police real powers to intervene early, stop serial abusers in their tracks, and protect victims before the harm escalates.”