Wandsworth and Merton’s Labour London Assembly member has joined calls for a register of domestic abusers following a report launched in the capital.

The report, by Leader of the London Assembly Labour Group Len Duvall, calls for more “stringent” measures to be put in place to protect victims of domestic abuse.

Leonie Cooper reiterated Mr Duvall’s words saying “it’s time to get tough” and serious about the “vile act” of domestic abuse.

In the year to June 2017, there were nearly 150,000 incidents of domestic abuse in the capital, 4,270 incidents in Wandsworth and 2659 incidents in Merton.

However, just over 400 serial cross border offenders are kept on a list for monitoring and tracking by the Metropolitan Police.

The number of domestic abuse victims in London rose from 62,546 in 2014 to 71,926 in 2016, equating to a 15 per cent increase.

Two women a week die at the hands of a partner or ex-partner in the UK while 26 per cent of women experience domestic violence from the age of 16.

An estimated 4.3 million females and 2.2 million males aged 16 to 59 have been a victim of domestic abuse in England and Wales.

Ms Cooper added: “I recognise that the government have improved the law to allow for tougher action against abusers, but the provision is too patchy and reoffending remains too high.”

“I’m backing calls for a register of domestic abusers because I believe it could provide a vital step change in the way we prevent reoffending and protect people from these devastating crimes.”

In 2014, the Government brought in Domestic Violence Protection Orders, which ban abusers from returning to a home and having contact with the victim for 28 days along with Criminal Behaviour Orders which, in addition to restraining orders, can also be used to prevent perpetrators from contacting or approaching their victims.

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme was brought in the same year – this is commonly known as Clare’s Law after Clare Wood, a woman murdered by an ex-boyfriend in 2009.

The scheme gives people the ‘Right to Ask’ about whether a new or existing partner has a violent history, while the ‘Right to Know’ element means police can chose to proactively disclose such information without a request.

In 2015, a coercive and controlling behaviour offence came into force, which means that if the abuse falls short of violence a maximum of five years in prison can be handed down.

In response to the call for a register, a spokesperson for the Home Office listed the progress already made and said: “Domestic abuse has a devastating and life-long impact on victims, their children, family and friends and this Government has introduced a number of measures to eradicate it.

“The Prime Minister has announced a new programme of work led by the Home Secretary and Justice Secretary leading towards a Domestic Violence and Abuse Act to transform how we think about and tackle domestic abuse.”