Violent offences in North Wales have risen by more than 20% in the last year, according to new figures.
Information released by the Office of National Statistics shows the sharp increase in reports of violent crime and sexual offences.
Crime in general has gone up by 6% but North Wales Police assistant chief constable Richard Debicki said this was below the average increase nationwide which was more than 8%.
The statistics cover the year to March 2016 and also show reports of robbery are down by 4.9% and domestic burglary has been slashed by almost 11%.
Following major drug operations by the North Wales force’s dedicated organised crime team Operation Scorpion , drug offences have gone down by 15.5% and theft has also fallen.
Assistant chief constable Debicki said: “The risk of household crime is now lower than anywhere else nationally in England and Wales, which is a significant achievement and demonstrates how safe our communities are relative to other areas.
“Although the reporting of sexual offences was up by 18.2%, I believe that this is a reflection of the increasing confidence of victims to report such crimes to the police.
“We have significantly increased specialist resources to deal with these types of crime and provide care and support for victims, and aim to reach out to people to report these types of crime to us. This approach is working, with more people than ever willing to come forward.”
He said the force has plans in place to tackle alcohol-fuelled violent crime in town centres.
It comes days after John Mark Roberts, 52, of Penyffordd, was jailed for attacking 20-year-old Sophie Bancroft after boozing in a bar.
Asst chief constable Debicki continued: “Like other forces we are dealing with the emerging threat of online fraud, cybercrime and other crimes perpetrated online such as child sexual abuse involving grooming and the distribution of sexual images of children.”
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “Much of this increase is down to an increased number of incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault being reported.
“There has been a considerable effort made to reassure victims that if they come forward and report these offences that they will be taken seriously and as a result more and more people are coming forward, which is to be welcomed.
“If these crimes aren’t reported, then the police cannot deal with them effectively.”
see-http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/new-crime-figures-released-north-11652623
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