More domestic abuse crimes were recorded in Dorset last year, new figures show.

It comes as new domestic abuse protection notices and orders, introduced by the previous Government, are set to be trialled in parts of England and Wales before being rolled out across the country.

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said the new changes will ensure more victims receive the "robust protection they deserve".

Home Office figures show 9,472 domestic abuse-related crimes were recorded by Dorset Police in the year to March – up from 8,468 the year before.

Police forces across England and Wales recorded 851,062 domestic abuse-related crimes, a fall from 911,248 the previous year.

However, the Office for National Statistics' crime survey estimated 2.3 million people aged 16 years and over experienced domestic abuse in the past year.

READ: 8,500 domestic abuse crimes reported in Dorset

Sarika Seshadi, head of research and evaluation at Women’s Aid, said: "It is notable that while police recording of domestic abuse-related crimes has decreased over the past year, this is likely due to changes in their recording practices.

"Consistency and accuracy in recording across police forces will also be critical in measuring progress of cases through the criminal justice system, and the wider Government pledge to halve violence against women and girls."

The figures also show there have been 353 domestic homicide victims between the years ending March 2021 and March 2023, including three recorded by Dorset Police.

Of the victims, 231 were women (65%).

Ms Phillips said the number of people estimated to be victims of domestic abuse is "appalling" and "frightening".

She added: "That’s why one of our first acts against our ambitious manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch new, strengthened domestic abuse protection orders."

The new DAPNs and DAPOs are intended to cover all forms of domestic abuse and, unlike some orders that only last for 28 days, will have no time restrictions.

Dorchester town councillor Molly Rennie, chairman of the Dorset Domestic Abuse Forum, praised the work of Dorset Police and the authorities in encouraging people to report domestic abuse.

She said: "Dorset has probably bucked the trend with an increase in reports of domestic abuse due to Dorset Police and all of the services being extremely active in awareness raising and letting people know where there's help and support."

She added: "The police and the office for the Police and Crime Commissioner's (Dorset PCC) are doing an amazing amount of work to get this right.

"In Dorset we have an incredible amount of services out there for people.

"During 10 days of action we've had for White Ribbon Day I've noticed that when you talk to young people more of them are aware of it."

Cllr Rennie said changes in legislation can now see more incidents classed as domestic homicide. 

"They have changed the law around domestic abuse and you can now what would have been a suicide classed as domestic homicide.