Police made thousands of arrests in Milton Keynes and beyond due to domestic abuse during lockdown

With a fifth of all crime nationally during lockdown involving domestic abuse, Refuge said the problem is the "biggest social issue" facing women and girls today.

Figures from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services show Thames Valley Police (TVP) made 2,423 arrests for domestic abuse-related crimes between April and June, when the toughest national Covid-19 restrictions were imposed.

Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest domestic abuse crimes were already rising in Thames Valley before the pandemic struck.

In the year to March, 15% of all crimes in the area were linked to domestic abuse (26,651) – an increase on the 14% the year before.

Across England and Wales, domestic abuse offences have risen steadily as a proportion of all crimes for the last four years, reaching 15% in 2019-20.

This spiked in April, May and June when roughly a fifth (21%, 20% and 19%) of offences recorded by police were flagged as domestic abuse related.

As restrictions eased, this proportion fell slightly – likely to be due to overall police-recorded crime increasing following the lockdown.

Police forces (excluding Greater Manchester) recorded 198,112 offences between April and June – 9% more than the same months in 2019, and 17% more than two years ago.

Refuge said there was a general increase in demand for domestic abuse services at this time, and it continues to see peaks in demand three weeks into the second lockdown.

Lisa King, director of communications and external relations at the charity, said: "It is important to remember that behind all of these statistics are real woman and their experiences.

"These numbers refer to instances of physical violence, rape, sexual assault, emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, FGM, forced marriage and other forms of gender-based violence.

"Domestic abuse is biggest social issue facing women and girls today, and these statistics show it simply isn't going away."

There was also a small rise (2%) in the number of child protection referrals as a result of domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes over the three months compared with the same period in 2019.

There were 56,945 child protection referrals over this time – with 3,888 in Thames Valley.

Barnardo’s said families were facing new financial and emotional pressures during the pandemic so while "deeply sad", the figures are not a shock.

Chief Executive Javed Khan said: “Children are the hidden victims of domestic abuse, not just bystanders. Lockdowns have left too many children trapped in unsafe homes, and missing out on vital support.

"In many cases we know that without timely help, children go on to experience further abuse in their own relationships and risk becoming trapped in a life-long cycle of violence."

Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins said the Government's Domestic Abuse Bill, currently awaiting its second reading in the House of Lords, will strengthen protections for victims and also ensure perpetrators feel the full force of the law.

She added: “We are acutely aware that for some people home is not a safe place and that the pandemic put those people in greater danger.

"That is why we are taking action, alongside our partners including the police, to better protect victims, bring perpetrators to justice, and learn from deaths to prevent future tragedies."

A TVP spokesperson said: “Throughout lockdown and outside of it, TVP have continued to reach out to victims of domestic abuse and support those that have got in touch to make a report to us.

"We have also worked extensively with our partners across the Thames Valley to make sure that those that need help and support know where and how they can get it.

“Tackling domestic abuse is a priority at all times, however, we do recognise that during lockdown the situation may cause anxiety and fear for those who are at risk of domestic abuse.

"Therefore it is important to highlight the ways people can report domestic abuse even if they are trapped with their abuser, such as pressing 55 when ringing 999 which means the operator will hear the button press and raise the alarm without the victim having to speak."

TVP also urged people to be vigilant when it comes to family, friends, colleagues and neighbours and call the police if they believe domestic abuse is affecting their lives.

The spokesperson added: “In terms of an increase in reports, there are a number of factors that could have contributed to this such as an increased confidence in people being able to report as well as improved recording practices."