Police Scotland records more than 400 crimes under domestic abuse law

Under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act, “coercive and controlling behaviours” is a criminal offence.

The maximum sentence for the offence is 14 years and it covers sexual, financial and psychological abuse.

Prosecutors have so far secured 13 convictions, with 190 cases having been referred to the Crown Office.

Det Supt McCreadie, national lead for domestic abuse, said the figures showed the law was working well since its introduction in April.

He said: “The new offence requires police to evidence a pattern of abusive behaviours, in other words, two or more offences which form a course of conduct against the victim.

“The number of offences recorded and people reported demonstrates the need for this new legislation and that our officers are utilising it to good effect. “

He added: “The new law covers behaviours which have always been considered abusive but which were difficult to tackle using previous laws.

“Police Scotland is now able to tackle the full range of abusive behaviours used by perpetrators to protect those they seek to abuse.”