Domestic abuse related crimes recorded in Hertfordshire has risen to its highest in recent years – but not even a quarter were referred to prosecutors.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed there were 11,130 crimes recorded by police in the year to March, 3,207 than what it was between 2015/16.

And in total there were 20,412 crimes and incidents recorded by police between 2018/19, but only 795 cases were referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), 648 of which resulted in charges.

Nationally, the figures revealed there were 1,316,800 domestic abuse-related incidents and crimes recorded by police, but only 98,470 referrals were made to the CPS. This is down 11 per cent from 110,653 the previous year.

Paul Maghie, Detective Chief Superintendent from Hertfordshire Constabulary, said the force had seen fewer victims reporting domestic abuse despite the number of incidents and crimes increasing.

He continued: “The partnership structures we now have in place are making a real difference to those people who are suffering domestic abuse. The recording of domestic abuse related crimes is complex and we are now often recording multiple crimes for any one reported incident.

“These figures are just the tip of the iceberg. Research tells us that only one in five people affected by domestic abuse will report incidents to the police.

“We hope that the work that we are doing to raise awareness and to provide support to people affected is playing a part in making Hertfordshire residents safer.”

The figures also revealed that there were nearly 9,000 domestic abuse-related violence cases recorded in Hertfordshire between 2018/19, 68 per cent higher than what it was between 2015/16.

Within the East of England, Hertfordshire is the second highest county in the region for the number of domestic abuse related crimes, totalling just over 38,000 crimes between April 2015 and March 2019.

Recently in Hertfordshire, the Domestic Abuse Partnership launched an appeal for local businesses and services to help victims and survivors of domestic abuse as part of its ‘J9’ initiative.

It was developed in memory of Janine Mundy, a mother of two killed by her estranged husband in 2003.

“By becoming a J9 Community Champion you will be taking a stand against domestic abuse in Hertfordshire; showing you care about the wellbeing of your community and about victims and survivors of this terrible crime.

“Our aim is to make Hertfordshire J9 a recognised symbol of hope, so it becomes as simple as possible for people who are suffering to seek help in confidence.”