THE number of reported domestic violence related crimes across Ryedale has increased significantly over the past year and police have pledged to get tough on tackling offenders.

In a report to the Ryedale area committee, Inspector Andy Everitt said the number of incidents had risen from 48 to 72 over the last year.

He said: “North Yorkshire Police has an extremely robust stance in arresting suspected domestic violence offenders irrespective of the initial wishes of the victim.

“We also work very closely with partnership agencies to support victims of domestic violence and empower people to break the cycle of abuse and make formal complaints.”

He added: “The professional judgement of myself and colleagues is that victims of domestic abuse are beginning to feel more empowered in coming forward to agencies such as ourselves to seek support, hence the increase in reported incidents.

“It is not necessarily a reflection of more incidents of domestic violence occurring across the district, but rather that victims are more able to report such incidents.” The crime fighting performance in general remains good with notable reductions in burglary, public order, violence with injury and criminal damage.

Reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Ryedale continues to fall and is currently down by a further 17.6 per cent against a challenging period last year.

Insp Everitt said: “Night-time economy assaults and public order incidents are continuing to reduce in our towns as co-ordinated partnership initiatives such as Pubwatch, Street Angels, targeted patrolling, use of CCTV, banning of offenders from licensed premises etc have a sustained impact.”

Officers continued to focus on the drug dealing fraternity within Ryedale and this year had seen increased activity in executing drug warrants.

Insp Everitt said: “One of the main tactics of dealers is to ‘plug’ their drugs within the small bowel which of course goes beyond the remit of intimate search legislation and is a source of continual frustration for Ryedale officers.”

A warrant executed last month against a drug dealer in Malton had revealed good evidence of such concealment. However, after a period in police custody, £3,500 of heroin had been produced to officers.

Insp Everitt said: “This has sent out a very positive message to local dealers and evidences our determination in Ryedale to target dealers and bring them to justice.”