The number of revenge crimes has doubled in the past five years, a report submitted by the National Police Agency to the parliamentary audit showed Monday.

While some 124 retaliatory crimes were detected in 2010, the number surged to 255 last year, said Rep. Park Nam-choon of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy who released the report.

The number has been consistently rising ― from 122 in 2011, to 235 in 2012 and 237 in 2013.

The act on aggravated punishment of specific crimes stipulates that those who have committed a revenge crime against others who have provided authorities help or testimonies in prior criminal cases be subject to additional punishment.

By type, most of the revenge cases involved threats, followed by assault and confinement.

“The foremost task is to prepare tools to protect a victim as revenge crimes tend to expose the victim to another criminal offense,” said Rep.

Park, calling for stricter management and control of the offenders.