MORE than 900 arrests were made for domestic abuse-related crimes in Cheshire during the first coronavirus lockdown.

New figures from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services show Cheshire Police made 903 arrests for such crimes between April and June.

Meanwhile, Home Office data shows that across England and Wales – excluding Greater Manchester – 20.8 per cent of incidents recorded by police in April were related to domestic abuse and 20 per cent in May.

In contrast, 14.4 per cent of incidents were domestic abuse-related in April 2019 and 13.8 per cent in April 2018.

The charity Refuge says domestic abuse is the ‘biggest social issue’ facing women and girls today.

It says there was a general increase in demand for domestic abuse services during the first lockdown, while it also saw a spike in demand in the second lockdown.

Lisa King, director of communications and external relations at the charity, said: "These numbers refer to instances of physical violence, rape, sexual assault, emotional and psychological abuse, coercive control, FGM, forced marriage and other forms of gender-based violence.

"Domestic abuse is biggest social issue facing women and girls today, and these statistics show it simply isn't going away."

The Government's Domestic Abuse Bill is currently awaiting its second reading in the House of Lords.

Safeguarding Minister Victoria Atkins says this will strengthen protections for victims and also ensure perpetrators feel the full force of the law.

She added: “We are acutely aware that for some people home is not a safe place and that the pandemic put those people in greater danger.

"That is why we are taking action, alongside our partners including the police, to better protect victims, bring perpetrators to justice, and learn from deaths to prevent future tragedies."