Big match fuelled domestic abuse

Published on Saturday 9 February 2008 19:11

DOMESTIC violence soared on the night that Scotland lost to Italy in the Euro 2008 championship qualifier, new figures show.

And an MSP has said the increase was largely fuelled by drink.

Sandra White, SNP MSP for Glasgow region, quoted Strathclyde Police figures showing that between April and December last year, there were an average of 92 domestic abuse cases reported to police each Saturday. However, on Saturday, November 17 – the day Scotland's Euro 2008 hopes were dashed – a total of 126 domestic abuse incidents were reported.

This compared with 89 the previous Saturday and 90 the following Saturday.

Nearly two-thirds – 64% – of the incidents on the day of the game were alcohol-related, on a day when unofficial reports suggested five million pints were consumed.

White said: "This was a football match heralded and promoted as the biggest football feast of the century, and one the whole of Scotland looked forward to. Sadly, for many, these figures clearly show that for them there was nothing to cheer about.

"With pubs showing alcohol sales during this period higher than Christmas and kick-off time at 5pm, there is no doubt that the binge-drinking culture of Scotland was evident.

"This cannot and should not be tolerated in any decent society, and it must be tackled."