North Wales Police logged the highest number of recorded sexual crimes since records began, according to the latest official figures from the Office of National Statistics.
The number of allegations for the year ending September 2015 rose to 1,195, up 11% on the previous year’s figure of 1,077, and the most since records started in 2003.
The rise in North Wales’ sexual offence figures is less than the average for England and Wales combined which shows an increase of more than a third year on year, from 73,003 in 2014 to 99,609 as of September 2015.
It is the highest number of recorded complaints since the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) was introduced in March 2003, with the ONS saying a greater willingness among victims to come forward could be a factor in the rise.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Williams, of the Protection of Vulnerable People Unit said: “North Wales Police is committed to tackling sexual offences.
“We have increased resources in this area with the Amethyst team and more recently the implementation of the ONYX team – who assist in tackling in child sexual exploitation.
“We believe more victims have the confidence and willingness to come forward and report such offences to us and this is reflected in the figures published today.”
Sexual offences against children in England and Wales represent 44% of the total police recorded crimes.
While historic offences, those which occurred more than 12 months previously, continue to rise, the majority of the increase comes from current offences.
Det Insp Williams urged potential victims to come forward, saying: “We continue to encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual offence to make contact with us.
“NWP Amethyst team provide specialist services to support victims and encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward.” Victims who don’t feel ready to report to the police can access services via the confidential Amethyst SARC helpline on 0808 156 3658.
*Total crime recorded nationally rose by 6% to 4.3 million offences, with better police compliance around recording standards said to be a major factor.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) shows an estimated 6.6m incidences of crime in the year ending September 2015.
Within North Wales police recorded crime rose by almost 2.5%, with criminal damage and arson increasing by more than three percent and reports of violence also rising.
Incidences of violence with injury went up by almost 4.4% to 4,815 recorded by police and violence where no injury was recorded shot up by 10.7% to 5,427 incidents recorded - the highest recorded since 2003.
Robbery reports decreased by more than 5%, along with reductions in theft, burglary and non-domestic burglary.
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/highest-number-sex-crimes-ever-10771445
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