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Domestic abuse incidents

Police-recorded domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales. One of the most prevalent crime types, and widely believed to be significantly under-reported.

824.8k incidents
+0.5% vs 2024

As of 2025

Historical trend

Trend summary

Police in England and Wales flagged 824,772 offences as domestic abuse-related in the year ending December 2025, broadly stable from 820,856 in 2024.

Trend

  • Domestic abuse-flagged police offences rose from 421,182 in 2015–16 to a peak of 910,976 in 2021–22, before falling to around 820,000 in 2024 and 2025.
  • The rapid rise to 2021–22 partly reflects improved police recording practices introduced from 2017.
  • The recent stabilisation at around 820,000–825,000 may reflect both changes in behaviour and changes in reporting.

Context

  • Figures cover all crimes where police have applied a domestic abuse flag; they are not limited to assault or violence.
  • Source: ONS Crime in England and Wales Appendix Tables, year ending December 2025 (Table B9).

Commentary contains no editorial judgement — describes direction, magnitude, and official projections only.

About this indicator

Source
ONS/ Home Office
Update frequency
Annual
Last updated
19 June 2026
Licence
OGL v3
Direction
↑ Rising

Statistics

Latest
824.8k incidents
Period high
824.8k incidents
Period low
820.9k incidents
Period average
822.8k incidents