Surge in Old Firm domestic violence

Total crime reported on the day Rangers won 1-0 over Celtic at Ibrox went up by a fifth to almost 5,000 compared with the previous derby game. However, the overall total number of disorder and anti-social behaviour incidents fell.

The figures followed Strathclyde Police drafting in more than 1,000 extra officers as part of a joint campaign with the Scottish Government to crack down on the alcohol-fuelled crime wave triggered by Old Firm games.

Total crime reported on Saturday increased to at least 4,808 from 4,049 on the last Old Firm match day on Sunday, 15 March, when Celtic won the Co-operative Insurance Cup by 2-0 at Hampden. A police spokeswoman said it was a provisional figure, which may increase.

Serious assaults across Strathclyde increased by 40 per cent from 30 to 42 on Saturday, while the number of domestic abuse incidents being reported went up by 20 per cent, from 120 to 149. However, there was a 27 per cent cut in disorder incidents and assaults, from 480 to 351.

The police spokeswoman described the increase in domestic violence reports as "very disturbing", but suggested people had become more confident about reporting such incidents.

Chief Superintendent Campbell Corrigan said the figures showed there was still a long way to go to tackle the problems associated with Old Firm games.

He said: "The overall figures are encouraging, but I am saddened by the levels of domestic abuse and think that this shows the scale of the problem and that it will take a concerted and long-term approach involving partners to address this shameful issue.

"I am pleased that the levels of street disorder and assault across the force were reduced – that was the whole point. I am, however, even more determined to deal with more serious violence, which still occurs at a high level on match days. Figures from Saturday show this.

"High-visibility patrols targeting hotspots, visits to licensed premises, officers carrying out domestic bail and curfew checks, stop and searches with the help of specialist response units and public order teams have contributed to this. However, we did still deal with an increased number of serious assaults.

"Generally speaking, these figures prove that people are still using the day football matches are played on to drink to excess and cause trouble on our streets and in our communities."

Bill Aitken, the Conservative justice spokesman and a Glasgow MSP, said the deployment of extra police seemed to have paid off.

He said:

"It appears to have enabled the police to nip trouble in the bud, such as by officers arresting people for breach of peace before it developed into something more serious.

"There are, however, still issues, and the tribalism as opposed to sectarianism that surrounds this match is a matter of great concern."

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill said the extra officers sent a "clear message" of tough police action.

He said: "For too long in Scotland we've stood by and accepted heavy drinking and the violence that all too often goes hand in hand with it. That's why Strathclyde Police's action to tackle violence and antisocial behaviour around the Old Firm match was very welcome.

"The force sent out a clear message that getting drunk and starting a fight is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. I believe the extra officers they had on duty has helped to reduce incidents and send a clear message that enforcement will be tough.

"Meanwhile, the Scottish Government will continue to work to change the culture around alcohol misuse in Scotland, bringing in bold measures such as minimum pricing of alcohol, a ban on irresponsible promotions and placing a duty on local licensing boards to consider raising the age for purchase in off-sales to 21.

"This, combined with the tough police action we're seeing from Strathclyde Police, will help us to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence."