THE number of vulnerable adults identified by police in the area has jumped by a third in the past year, according to new figures.

There were 405 adults - who can have issues such as mental health problems or might be self-harming - referred in the past year to West Dunbartonshire Council's social work department, up from 301 the year before.

But police and the council said the 35 per cent rise was positive because it meant more residents would be able to get the help they need.

In the annual social work department report, it also highlighted 344 "adult at risk" referrals between July 2015 and March 2016, with half coming from police. That number is a 16 per cent hike compared to the previous year, but social work said further research was need to explain why.

Sergeant David MacKinnon in Clydebank Police Office said: "Officers are trained in recognising vulnerabilities in adults and can apply a set of criteria to help them to assess individual circumstances.

"In many circumstances consent from the individual is required in order for information to be shared, however in a much smaller number of cases a referral will be made to partner agencies immediately due to the level of risk or concern the police have.

"Whilst the police will make referrals based on incidents they themselves encounter, many more referrals originate due to concerns raised by members of the public and partner agencies - such as health, various local authority departments, self referrals, fire and rescue service, etc.

"The increase in referrals is a good thing and is indicative of greater public awareness and more efficient working between partners."

A spokesman for the council added: “When cases are referred to the Health and Social Care Partnership there are a range of issues which could lead to someone being identified as vulnerable, including self-harming or mental health problems.

"Identifying vulnerable adults from the outset allows us to provide the most effective care and support for each individual. While the number of vulnerable adult referrals have increased over the last year, this reflects the national picture and we have the right procedures in place to support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.”

The report, going before the full council meeting tonight, also highlighted that while domestic abuse stats had reduced slightly in three years, West Dunbartonshire still has higher incidents than some other local authorities.

In the year 2014/15, there were 1,220 reports to police, with 768 of those related to families with children.

Between April 1, 2015 and February 2, 2016, 877 incidents were reported to cops and with 1,747 children exposed to them. In some cases , there was more than one incident per family.

The number of children on the Child Protection Register (CPR) was down from 34 last year to 28 as of the end of March.

Despite the reduction, the report states: "It is starkly evident that the reason for registration is predominantly due to 'neglect' and this reflects the national picture."

The council said they regularly audit what protection is given to children and how they are helped with other agencies, particularly in relation to domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation (CSE). There is a local group raising awareness and understanding of the risk of exploitation and working with young people directly.

Two secondary schools have been part of a national pilot with Police Scotland to get older pupils to provide mentoring to younger ones entering school.