Over 15% rise in sexual offences recorded by police in Devon and Cornwall
Latest crime figures show our region is still one of the safest areas in the country
There has been a big rise in the number of sexual offences reported to police in Devon and Cornwall.
Latest figures show it is up by more than 15% and that is being put down to more coverage of violence against women and girls, encouraging victims to come forward.
Office for National Statistics data for the year ending September 2021 shows a fall in robbery and 'victim based crime'.
However Public Order Offences rose by 13%, a jump which Devon and Cornwall Police believe was fuelled by more protests and the lifting of Covid restrictions.
Overall there has been a 1% rise in recorded crime, however Devon and Cornwall are still one of the safest areas in the country, with the region recording the third lowest crime rate.
"We work hard to prevent and detect all crime"
Deputy Chief Constable Jim Colwell said: "I am pleased with the latest crime statistics which are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers and staff. We have been able to keep overall crime and victim-based crime low during an unprecedented year where we have continued to face the ongoing challenges of the pandemic and increased numbers of visitors to our region.
"We work hard to prevent and detect crime in all areas of the two counties and use the data to identify those types of crime and locations where we need to do more work to keep people safe. We continue to focus on safeguarding the most vulnerable and encourage victims to report offences to enable us to investigate crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
"Some aspects of violent crime have risen both in Devon and Cornwall and nationally including sexual offences which have risen by 15.5%
"This increase is partly due to the increased media coverage relating to violence against women and girls and our encouragement to victims to report crimes.
"Public order offences have risen 13.0% and we remain in second place nationally. The increase can be linked to a general increase in protest and resistance nationally coupled with more staycations and the lifting of Covid restrictions.
"Acquisitive crime has decreased across the board, they fell during lockdown and have not risen back up to their former level. We experienced a 17.6% fall in robbery and a 25.9% fall in bicycle theft.
'I would like to acknowledge the support from communities'
"These crime figures highlight to us the areas where we can do better and show us where to best target our resources to combat particular types of crime going forward.
"I would like to acknowledge the support we have had from our communities, especially during 2021 when we helped to successfully stage the G7 Summit in Cornwall and also dealt with the tragic events in Keyham. It is only with the help of the public who continue to look out for each other and report crime and suspicious behaviour that we can keep our region safe for everyone".
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: "These figures cover the period when there was justifiable public outrage at the murder of Sarah Everard in London and the trial of the murderer of Lorraine Cox here in Devon and Cornwall. This placed violence against women and girls at the top of the national agenda.
"If these high-profile cases have caused more women and girls to reflect on incidents and the confidence to come forward to report offences, both recent and historic, then that is to be welcomed. It is good to see that the force remains one of the safest places to live in the country.
"Our plans to reduce violence, help more people live crime-free lives and provide world class services for victims, are designed to make it even safer".