To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths resulting from incidents of domestic violence have occurred in each (a) London borough and (b) constituency in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement. (82985)

The following data from the Metropolitan Police Service (MRS) gives the total number of victims of homicide which were identified as domestic violence related in all London boroughs from 2001-02 to 2005-06. I will write to the hon. Member with the data broken down by London borough when we receive it from MRS. MRS do not collect data at constituency level.

MRS have attributed the increase in domestic violence related homicides from 2003-04 to the change in the force’s definition of domestic violence to the Association of Chief Police Officer’s definition which now includes family members (over 18) as well as partners and ex-partners.