THE number of domestic abuse incidents rose by 20% last year in East Dunbartonshire, figures show.

There were 975 incidents reported from 2015-16 compared with 768 the previous year.

Rates were highest in the deprived areas with 49% of  incident reported taking place in Clydebank.

The number of children and young people involved rose from 1578 in 2014-15 to 2008 in  2015-16.

Overall, it means there was a 27% rise in both incidents and the number of children involved.

According to a Children and Families report by the Care Inspectorate, the council and other partners were unsuccessful in a bid to secure government funding for a programme which helps reduce re-offending rates amongst men.

The system works with men convicted of domestic abuse related offences on a programme to reduce their re-offending while offering integrated services to women and children.

However the report praised performance in improving outcomes for children and young people.