MORE must be done to ensure those committing domestic abuse are prosecuted, Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds has said.

Speaking in Parliament, the Labour MP and former barrister said he was concerned victims of domestic abuse and violence may not feel able to come forward.

Addressing attorney general Jeremy Wright, he said he was concerned to see the number of domestic abuse prosecutions fell from 100,913 in 2016 to 93,519 the following year.

“It is important that we do all that we can to ensure that the criminal justice system supports victims,” he said. “If the figure does not rise in 2018, will (Mr Wright) undertake to look again at the domestic abuse guidelines for prosecutors to ensure that we are doing all we possibly can in this area?”

Mr Wright replied: “It is important that we do all that we can to ensure that victims of domestic violence feel able to come forward to report what has happened to them, and that they feel confident that the criminal justice system will deal with them sensitively.

“(Mr Thomas-Symonds) will know that we have put in place a range of measures, not least to enable giving evidence to be somewhat easier, to make sure that that happens.”

He added: “It is important that we look at both legislative and non-legislative options to make sure that across the board we are doing all we can to support victims.”