Domestic abuse increased in Scotland in 2019-20 in comparison to the previous year, official statistics have shown.

Police recorded 62,907 incidents of domestic abuse in 2019-20, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year, representing the fourth consecutive year of increases in domestic abuse incidents.

Common assault was the most frequently recorded crime or offence recorded as part of a domestic abuse incident in 2019-20 accounting for 34% of all recorded crimes, followed by breach of the peace which accounted for 26% of crimes and offences.

In 40% of incidents of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the police in Scotland, included the recording of at least one crime or offence.

Crimes recorded under the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, following its enactment in 2019, accounted for 4% of crimes and offences recorded as part of a domestic abuse incident in 2019-20.

At a local authority level, Dundee City (166), Clackmannanshire (152) and Glasgow City (151) had the highest incident rates.

Around four-in-five incidents of domestic abuse (82%) in 2019-20 had a female victim and a male accused. The 26 to 30 years old age group had the highest incident rate for victims (272 incidents recorded per 10,000 population), whereas the 31 to 35 years old age group had the highest incident rate for the accused (257 incidents recorded per 10,000 population).

Recorded incidents of domestic abuse were higher at the weekend.