NEW figures have revealed a disturbing increase in incidents of domestic violence in the region during the World Cup.

Victims' groups claim there were three times as many reported cases of domestic violence after England's first World Cup match during the Jubilee weekend.

There are now fears that the violence could continue as England progress into the second round of the competition.

In Darlington, the police dealt with 37 reported incidents of domestic violence over the Jubilee weekend between Saturday June 1 and Tuesday June 4.

This compared with only 12 incidents for the same period last year which was not a Bank Holiday.

On Sunday June 2, when England played Sweden in their opening match, the police in the town received reports of 17 cases of domestic violence, compared to just two a month earlier on May 2.

Claire Seymour from the Darlington Domestic Violence Forum said: "We do not think that football is the cause of the increase in the figures but it is more likely that the circumstances that surround the event whether it be stress, alcohol or any other circumstances lead to violence.

"But none of these are an excuse for violence."

Experts in domestic violence already recognise that during holiday periods when families spend more time together, there is a marked increase in reported incidents of violence.

Ms Seymour believes that the Jubilee Bank Holiday, with many people taking four days off work, could well have contributed to the increase in violent incidents.

She said: "If families who have problems spend intense, long periods of time together, pressures can build up.

"There is also a culture of drinking more during Bank Holidays and this was made worse by the football.

"All this combined with the tension of the game seems to have triggered violent attacks in homes but these factors do not give us any indication of the underlying problems that lead to violence.

"The perpetrators of domestic attacks must take responsibility for their actions and not look for excuses."

Although men can be victims of domestic violence, more than 90 per cent of reported incidents in the region involve violent men and female victims.

Children who live in families where there is domestic violence are also 15 per cent more likely to suffer abuse themselves.

Ms Seymour said: "Children are hurt and harmed by domestic violence and youngsters were involved in a number of the reported incidents during the World Cup matches."

During the week of the World Cup launch, there was also an increase in the number of women who fled to the refuge in Darlington to escape violence.

Between June 1 and 7 last year only two women were given refuge in Darlington but for the same week this year nine women moved into the safe house.

This experience was reflected elsewhere in the region with women queuing up to get a place in the refuge in North Durham.

A spokeswoman for the refuge said: We were full throughout the Jubilee weekend and there five or six referrals on one day which is a lot more than normal.

"We had some women moving out and there were others waiting to take their places.

"We often find there is an increase in violence when there are Derby football matches or during holidays and this weekend was a combination of the two."

It is estimated that less than one sixth of incidents of domestic violence are reported to the police.

Reflecting this, the Darlington and district domestic violence helpline which offers independent advice to women, received three times more calls over the start of the World Cup than it had the same time last year.

Ms Seymour said: "It is frightening to think how many people are actually suffering physical or emotional abuse and not coming forward.

"The figures we have are just the tip of the iceberg - the reality is likely to be a lot worse."