Metropolitan Police officers are arresting an average of 100 people a day for domestic violence offences during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Commander Sue Williams said charges and cautions were up 24% from March 9, when people with coronavirus symptoms were asked to self-isolate, compared to last year.

She said domestic incidents, which can include family rows not recorded as crimes, were up 3% year on year and 9% between March 9 and April 19, although offences were up just 2% in the Covid-19 period.

There have been two domestic-related murders recorded in London as police continue to warn of an increased risk of abuse during the coronavirus lockdown.

We are seeing a rise, there's no doubt about that, and we welcome that because we will take positive action against any perpetrators," Ms Williams said. We are arresting about 100 people a day for domestic offences, which I think is pretty amazing, even given all the challenges we have in London. Commander Sue Williams, Met Police

Commander Williams said police officers were finding it "much easier" to arrest suspects, who are either at home during the coronavirus lockdown or with family members or friends.

If you're a domestic abuse suspect, we want them charged, cautioned or bailed. Our charges and our cautions are up 24% on last year, and that's in the Covid-19 period. So, we are charging more people. It will be a mixture of charges and cautions, but mainly charges because we don't like cautioning and the CPS don't like cautioning people for domestic abuse. So, they have definitely gone up. If we have to bail someone, we bail them with conditions. Commander Sue Williams, Met Police

She added success stories included a pregnant woman in east London who called police for help.>Officers used body-worn cameras to record the allegation and the alleged offender has been remanded in custody after the CPS launched a victimless prosecution, she said.