THE number of domestic abuse incidents recorded in Glasgow jumped 9% last year.

Politicians were today quick to welcome the figures as a sign more women – and men – were coming forward after suffering at the hands of their partners.

Scottish Government figures showed the total incidents reported to police had leapt more than 75% between 2002-2003 to top 11,000 in the city alone in 2011-12.

The number of incidents nationwide rose from 35,000 to nearly 60,000 in that period.

Glasgow MSP Sandra White said: "It is encouraging the police and authorities know more than ever about domestic abuse and where it is going on.

"More incidents are being reported as people recognise there is no place for any sort of domestic abuse in a modern Scotland."

Across Scotland some 54% of the cases were deemed to be crimes. Assaults accounted for 44% of all incidents.

As the Evening Times revealed earlier this year the official toll of violence by one partner against another has risen relentlessly as more incidents are reported.

A total of 81% of all victims of domestic abuse, which is a strict term involving violence within a relationship, were victims of male on female incidents.

Around 17% were men targeted by women, with 2% in same-sex relationships.

White Ribbon Scotland works with men to try to end violence against women. Callum Hendry, of the charity, said: "It is important to remember these statistics only reveal those victims who felt able to report the incident.

"Many women, out of fear, will not have come forward and will not be included in this analysis. As more than 80% of the incidences were female victims and male perpetrators, it is worryingly clear more work needs to be done to tackle this issue.

"White Ribbon Scotland recognises most men are not abusive, and will continue to educate those men on how they can work to end violence against women."

Scottish Government figures showed that the women who were most commonly at risk were aged between 22 and 25. The average male offender was in his early 30s.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: "The Scottish Government has committed £34m to tackling domestic abuse and violence against women over the next three years. We will continue to prioritise this work."

david.leask@ heraldandtimes.co.uk