THE number of incidents of domestic abuse reported to police has risen 7% in a year, new figures show.

In Scotland, there were 59,847 incidents recorded in 2011-12, compared with 55,698 the previous year, and more than half were recorded as a crime or an offence by police.

Where information was available, almost two-thirds involved victims who have previously experienced domestic abuse, and around one in six cases (17%) involved a male victim and a female perpetrator.

The Scottish Government said tackling abuse in the home is a top priority, while police chiefs said the figures show people are becoming less tolerant of domestic violence.

The figures on domestic abuse incidents in 2010-11 and 2011-12 were released by Scotland's chief statistician. In detail, the overall number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by the police this year is 1139 for every 100,000 people, compared with 1067 in 2010-11.

More than half of the incidents (54%) reported in 2011-12 were recorded as a crime or offence, down from 58% the previous year.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: "We have always been clear there is no place for domestic abuse in Scotland, and tackling it is a top priority. These figures show too many men and women in Scotland are still being subjected to abuse at home.

"That is why the Scottish Government has committed £34 million to tackling domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women over the next three years, more than double the investment made previously, and we will continue to prioritise this work."