Violence by Brit women has doubled in just five years

London, July 31 : The number of violent attacks in the UK by women has doubled in just five years, courtesy the growing culture of binge drinking and yobbish behaviour.

Last year, 87,200 women and girls were arrested for attacks - the equivalent of 240 every day, reports the Sun.

The shocking Government figures showed that in 2002, the figure was 42,200 but it has risen by about 10,000 a year.

It is the first time in history that violence has been the most common crime among women and girls, taking over from theft.

The category includes every violent offence from street brawls and assault to grievous bodily harm and murder.

The Ministry of Justice report also highlights the soaring scale of violence among children.

Youngsters between the age group of 10 and 17 were held for more than 230 violent attacks or muggings every day last year.

The number of arrests for muggings rose to 17,900, up 22 per cent on the year before.

According to Shadow Home Secretary Dominic Grieve, violence among women was fuelled by the Government's 'lax approach' to binge drinking.

ANI