Teesside had highest rate of women murdered by men in 2016, figures show

The area had the country's highest rate-per-population of 0.71 women being killed per 100,000 residents, the Femicide Census found.

In neighbouring force areas, Durham and North Yorkshire, there were no women at all killed by men in 2016.

It is the second year the census has been compiled by domestic violence charity Women's Aid, to highlight the sheer number of women being killed by men, most often a current or former intimate partner.

Richinda Taylor, chief executive of Redcar charity Eva Women's Aid, said: "It is shocking to read this report and the statistics therein, characterising the most severe incidents of violence against women. and it is no surprise that the author appeals to the Government to ensure that domestic abuse and sexual violence services are provided with long term and sustainable funding, nor that gender inequality and discrimination need to be tackled at the root cause.

"We acknowledge that the period after a relationship has ended can be a time of seriously increased risk. We would urge women to seek support during this time, and even before then so that we may support her to leave an abusive relationship in as safe a way as possible.

Becky Rogerson, head of Middlesbrough charity My Sister's Place, said: "I think the Cleveland figures are a spike because there were two women murdered in one incident in 2016.

"But I don't think it means the figures are misleading. We tend to fudge over the reality most of the time. That is why they put these figures together, because the reality hiding behind the figures and the headlines is yet another domestic violence homicide which people don't always take on board. This year Cleveland has come out worse. We should know about that and we should respond."

The latest report shows that 113 women were killed by men in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2016, nine in ten by someone they knew, 78 of those by a current or former partner and 65 in their own home.