Call for domestic abuse database

One-in-four women will experience domestic violence during their lifetime

A national database of domestic abusers and their victims should be set up, according to an official report.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary Paddy Tomkins said all Scottish forces should "urgently address" the idea.

The report also called for the role of "domestic abuse officers" to be reviewed.

Scottish police recorded 48,801 incidents of domestic abuse in 2006-7, an increase of 7%.

The report from the inspectorate claimed more than 150 people a year - 80% of whom were women - were killed in Britain by a current or former partner.

Information access

The statistics showed that one-in-four women and one-in-six men will experience domestic violence during their lifetime.

Mr Tomkins said: "Every call represents an opportunity to identify a pattern of abuse and an opportunity to intervene to prevent further or escalating acts of violence in the future."

He added that was why effective record keeping and easy access to information was "key".

The report said there were problems with the current system which meant that front-line officers often could not access information outside office hours.

It added that all forces should develop a common approach to domestic abuse training for officers.