The number of domestic abuse attacks on men has TRIPLED in ten years, new figures showed yesterday.

The total number of incidents of violence in the home has dropped for the first time in a decade to 51,926 - 1,000 a week.

But there were 8,604 cases against men - 16 per cent of all attacks - compared to 2,869 in the year 2000, when they made up 8 per cent of the total. Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil put the rise down to more males coming forward to report cases.

He said: "It is encouraging to see reported domestic abuse incidents are on the decrease. We're also pleased that more men are finding the courage to come forward." But Labour's justice spokesman Richard Baker said Holyrood's recent decision to scrap jail terms under three months could mean most abusers escape jail.

He said: "The figures are still worryingly high. There is no doubt detection rates are up but to give victims full confidence to come forward they must know the strongest penalty awaits their attackers."

Lib Dem justice spokesman Robert Brown said: "The downward trend in domestic abuse is certainly a move in the right direction. Advertisement

"However, the extent of domestic abuse in Scotland is still high. I want to see a zero tolerance approach for both men and women."

The total of 51,926 cases is a 4 per cent drop on the previous 12 months, down by 2,005 cases.

Only 15 per cent of abuse cases involved married couples with 44 per cent involving partners and 41 per cent involving exes.

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