A new crackdown on domestic abuse is getting under way, with police pledging action against this "most heinous of crimes".

The two-month initiative aims to curb the problem of domestic violence over the festive period.

The campaign, which is being run by the police violence reduction unit (VRU), comes in the wake of figures showing a 7% rise in domestic abuse.

Across Scotland, police recorded 59,847 such incidents in 2011-12, up from 55,698 the previous year.

Stephen House, the new Chief Constable of Scotland, has pledged to be "relentless" in tackling the problem when the country's eight forces become one nationwide force in April.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Graham Goulden, who leads the anti-violence campaign for the VRU, stressed domestic abuse was "everyone's problem".

He stated: "Forces across Scotland have carried out some fantastic work over the past few years to tackle domestic abuse. They have been supported in this by partners like Scottish Women's Aid, Assist and White Ribbon Scotland.

"They have built a united front against this most heinous of crimes, demonstrating that domestic abuse will not be tolerated in 21st-century Scotland and those who commit it will be dealt with.

"If we really want to make a difference to levels of domestic abuse, we need to look at our attitudes towards relationships."