More than 4,500 sexual offences recorded in Cornwall and Devon in a year
The latest crime figures show drugs and public order offences have risen too
Last updated 4th Nov 2021
The number of sexual offences recorded in Cornwall and Devon has risen to 4,542 in a year.
Figures for the year to June 2021 show an 11.4% increase on the previous 12 months, as well as rises in violent crime, drug offences and public order offences.
What do the figures show?
According to the latest crime figures from the Office of National Statistics, public order offences rose by 15.7%, which Devon & Cornwall Police say is likely due to the easing of restrictions from 2020 with the reopening of the night-time economy.
There was an increase of 5.9% in 'violence against a person' and an increase of 11.4% for sexual offences in the police force area.
There was also an increase in drug offences between 2020 and 2021 of 13.7%.
Possession of weapons also saw a recorded increase of 15.4%. Our force says these increases reflect an increase in proactive policing and new requirements to record offences identified by the Border Force.
Devon & Cornwall Police said: "This expected rise in some reports of crime is likely due to the easing of restrictions after the Coronavirus pandemic during 2020 which saw the country in lockdown".
However total crime recorded between July 2020 and June 2021 decreased by 0.6% from the previous year.
Police recorded crime data also shows a decrease of 3.1% for victim-based crime recorded between July 2020 and June 2021.
One of the categories with the largest reduction is 'all burglary', which fell by 26.1%. This category is made up of 'residential burglary' which saw a decrease of 22.7% and 'non-residential burglary' which saw a decrease of 28.9%. Devon & Cornwall Police say this is likely due to restrictions posed by the pandemic which meant that more people were in their homes.
What is the response from Devon & Cornwall Police?
Deputy Chief Constable, Jim Colwell said: "We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic may have created challenges through changes in behaviours, which need addressing to ensure that we continue to keep our communities safe.
"We are pleased to see an overall reduction in crime for Devon and Cornwall, but there is still a lot of work to be done to tackle violence against a person, and sexual offences, which saw a significant rise over the period.
"We will continue to keep up to date and informed on the Violence Against Women and Girls Government strategy. We are committed to ensuring our communities feel safe, particularly women who continue to be targets of sexual violence and assault. We are determined to do everything in our power to make sure that criminals are caught and sentenced.
"We must work hard on increasing public confidence in policing and build trust and relationships with our communities".
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "While it is reassuring to see that the force area is one of the safest in the country it is vital that we do not shy away from potential rises in recorded crime that are the result of proactive operations and campaigns such as those that encourage the reporting of sexual abuse.
"If we are to truly become the safest force area in England and Wales it is vital that our residents and visitors report crime, and we have a true picture of offending and harm in society. Reporting crime is a responsibility that is incumbent upon all of us".
Full crime figures for Cornwall and Devon can be found on the Office of National Statistics website.