Abuse numbers rose on Euro night

There was a marked rise in abuse incidents on 17 November

Domestic violence increased on the night Scotland lost to Italy in the Euro 2008 championship qualifier, figures have suggested.

Strathclyde Police revealed that between April and December last year there was an average of 92 domestic abuse incidents reported each day.

However, on Saturday, 17 November, the figure went up to 126.

SNP MSP for the Glasgow region, Sandra White, said the increase was largely fuelled by drink.

The figures also showed that on the Saturday before the crunch football match, 89 domestic abuse incidents were reported and there were 90 on the Saturday after the qualifier.

This cannot and should not be tolerated in any decent society and must be tackled Sandra White SNP MSP

Almost two thirds - 64% - of the incidents on the day of the big game were alcohol-related.

Ms White said: "This was a football match heralded and promoted as the biggest football feast of the century and one which the whole of Scotland looked forward to.

"Sadly, for so many, these figures clearly show that for them there was nothing to cheer about."

She added: "With pubs showing alcohol sales during this period higher than Christmas and kick- off time at 5pm there is no doubt that the binge drinking culture of Scotland was evident.

"This cannot and should not be tolerated in any decent society and must be tackled."