CONCERNS have been raised following an increase in the number of domestic violence incidents in Ryedale.

A total of 64 cases of domestic violence have been reported so far this year, a rise of almost five per cent compared to last year, according to figures released by Inspector Andy Everitt, of Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood.

Despite Insp Everitt insisting “a robust stance is always taken in dealing with offenders and arrests are made at every opportunity”, councillors at a recent Ryedale Area Committee meeting were concerned that more needed to be done.

Councillor John Clark expressed concerns that with nowhere else to go, offenders will end up back in the house where the violence took place.

“If they don’t have proper accommodation they go back to live there for a roof over their head,” he said.

Chief Inspector Mark Grange, Scarborough Safer Neighbourhood Commander, who was standing in for Insp Everitt at the meeting, assured members of the committee that they were doing all they could to support both victims and offenders.

“There are support services in the local area for offenders, but in a lot of these cases some of these offenders are invited back in to the house,” he said.

Domestic violence was not the only crime which increased in Ryedale over the past year.

The overall crime rate for the area for the last four months has exceeded those for the same period last year. Last month there were 28 more crimes reported than in November 2012.

The meeting heard that a recent spate of daytime burglaries, particularly in Norton when 14 took place just in October, was the main reason for a sudden rise in crime.

In his report to the meeting, Insp Everitt said: “A spate of burglary dwellings in Norton was the main reason for a rise in crime in October.

“The offender was caught and received 18 months imprisonment following an early guilty plea.”

Chief Insp Grange also referred to the team of criminals from South Yorkshire who were arrested in Norton and have since been charged with burglary.

However, reports of anti-social behaviour are down by three per cent since last year and the number of vehicle offences has fallen by 26 per cent.

“Not all is doom and gloom in Ryedale, in fact far from it,” Inspector Everitt said in his report.

“Violence in the night time economy in our towns is down by a further 10 per cent.

“A rejuvenated Malton and Norton Pubwatch scheme is having a positive effect along with a robust stance on all licensing matters and targeted patrolling on Friday and Saturday evenings.”