Police have revealed how many domestic abuse protection orders have been granted across Avon and Somerset over the past five years — and how many have been broken.

The data, shared following a Freedom of Information request, shows hundreds of Domestic Violence Prevention Notices and Domestic Violence Protection Orders issued every year to help protect victims of abuse.

In 2020, Avon and Somerset Police issued 290 Domestic Violence Prevention Notices, rising to 274 in 2022 before dropping to just over 200 in both 2023 and 2024. The number of breaches varied too, peaking at 14 in both 2021 and 2022 before falling sharply to four this year.

More than 250 Domestic Violence Protection Orders were granted in both 2020 and 2021, dropping slightly to 188 last year and rising to 203 so far this year. Breaches of those orders topped out at 49 in 2021 and have averaged roughly 40 per year since. Meanwhile, Stalking Protection Orders started at just two in 2020 and have risen steadily to eight this year, with breaches also increasing from one in 2021 to seven in 2024.

The request also asked for information about restraining orders, forced marriage protection and non‑molestation orders, as well as gender data and instances of repeat breaches. The force said it could not compile those figures within the time limit set by Freedom of Information rules, explaining that many of the records are not held centrally and would require an extensive manual review. Similar requests about civil protection orders, it added, should be directed to the relevant courts or local authorities.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "We remain committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse and ensuring those responsible are brought to justice. These orders can be vital tools for keeping people safe, and we continue to work with our partners to help protect those affected and to take action where breaches occur."

More information about protection orders can be found online via the courts and Somerset Council websites.