Domestic abuse crimes have fallen in West Dunbartonshire during the past year.

Incidents involving abuse in the home have reduced by 10.6 per cent with 112 reported.

A further 77, a drop of 14.4 per cent on the previous year, ended up being taken to court by authorities.

A new year-to-date report from police said: “Domestic abuse crimes and incidents continue to show a downward trend.”

Beth Culshaw, the chief officer of the West Dunbartonshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), also presented a report to last week’s community planning meeting which provided an update on the work that’s being carried out across West Dunbartonshire to tackle domestic abuse.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms Culshaw told how the HSCP had successfully intervened in more than 70 cases of domestic abuse.

She said: “That’s 78 cases where we can say we actually made a difference and that’s one of the challenges we face: how can we practically demonstrate how we are doing this?

“Also, how to engage with young people, and working in a more proactive way.”

Ms Culshaw suggested that engaging with football clubs and other organisations could be a good way to do this.

Several organisations including the council, police, fire service as well as employers Aggreko and Pernod Ricard (Chivas) in Dumbarton, have vowed to work with them to address the issue.

They will aim to try to change people’s behaviour and prevent violence before it happens through education in schools and training/awareness sessions in workplaces.

The HSCP report continued: “Although most recent figures demonstrate a reduction, this does not detract from the fact that domestic abuse is a significant issue for West Dunbartonshire.”