In 2023, there were 33,071 such incidents, an increase of 144 or 0.4 per cent on the previous year.

The figures also record a seven per cent decline in domestic abuse crimes. These fell to 20,691 in 2023, a decrease of 1,590 on the previous 12 months.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) report details that not all incidents meet the criminal threshold.

A decrease in stalking and harassment was also recorded. There was, however, a rise in theft, criminal damage and breaches of non-molestation orders.

New domestic abuse laws came into force in Northern Ireland in February 2022 which created a specific offence of coercive control.