THE number of offences recorded last year by Devon and Cornwall Police involving coercive and controlling behaviour has been revealed by a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

In 2025, there were 987 offences, the FOI request shows.

By comparison, in 2024, there were 780 offences and in 2023 there were 667.

In the past five years, there have been more than 4,000 offences recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The vast majority of victims in 2025 were female, with the lion's share of the suspects in 2025 being male.

Controlling and coercive behaviour is a pattern of acts—including intimidation, threats, humiliation, and isolation—used by an abuser to make a partner or family member dependent, fearful, and submissive.

It is a criminal offence under Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.