POLICE in Drumchapel have reported a spike in domestic abuse calls even as the laws to protect partners tightened further.

Across the division from Drumchapel through to the west end, there were 26 calls at the weekend and another 16 last week.

Inspector Neil MacDougall, based at Drumchapel, said he was concerned about the rise but urged the public to continue reporting matters so they could investigate.

Most of the calls at the weekend did not result in criminal charges but Insp MacDougall said they would rather know about incidents and potentially refer couples to other agencies if needed.

He said: “It does concern me there has been a rise over the weekend. We rely on the public to phone these things in. If you are concerned, let us come out.

“All 26 calls will be thoroughly investigated, but not all will be recorded as crimes. We might make referrals to relevant agencies.”

Alleged domestic crimes included:

  • On the morning of March 17, at Lincoln Avenue, Knightswood, a 25-year-old man was arrested over two alleged instances of striking a 25-year-old female
  • Around 4.30pm on March 17 a 36-year-old victim was allegedly verbally abused and threatened by a man in Bulldale Place, Yoker
  • On March 18, around 2pm, a 31-year-old man was arrested for allegedly shouting at a 31-year-old woman in Kingsway Court, Scotstounhill. He was detained for court
  • Police arrested a 47-year-old man around 6.30pm on March 19 in Merryton Place, Drumchapel, for allegedly breaking bail conditions to stay away from a 46-year-old victim after a domestic incident in January.

But some non-crimes including a report of a disturbance where a woman told police her male partner had driven off under the influence. This was found to not be the case.

Another call-out to Kestrel Road, Knightswood, included an allegation of a partner not being let out of the house, but had been made in the heat of the moment.

Insp MacDougall said: “Apart from anything else, it’s a significant demand on resources, but we want to go to all of them. Those that turned out to not be a crime, we may have provided assistance but we were there to make sure people were safe.”

This week the First Minister introduced the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill to criminalise “abusive behaviour towards a partner or ex-partner”, including coercive and controlling behaviour.

It would cover subordination, humiliation, isolating a partner from friends, relatives and sources of support, and controlling or monitoring their day-to-day activities.

Nicola Sturgeon said: “The truth is that the psychological scars left by emotional abuse can have devastating effects on victims, and this government will work hard to make sure perpetrators face the justice they deserve.

“This bill will help our police and prosecutors hold abusers to account – but importantly, it also shows those who have suffered abuse that we stand with them and will take the steps needed to help them.”