Sexual offences increase by 21% in Wiltshire in just a year
Over 1,700 incidents were reported to police in the year to March 2022
Wiltshire's seen a 21% increase in sexual offences reported to police in just a year.
Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that 1,745 crimes were recorded by the county's force in the year to March 2022.
That compares to 1,437 the year before, but that was when lockdown was in effect for much of the time the numbers are taken from.
765 of the cases reported in 2021-22 were recorded as rapes.
Wiltshire Police have responded to the stats, saying they're working hard to reduce numbers, by recruiting extra staff to support victims.
Detective Superintendent Sarah Robbins said:
“We record lower volumes of rape and serious sexual offences than our peers and our data show that we are seeing improvements in domestic abuse and stalking, although there is still a long way to go. We have also seen significantly increased numbers of Domestic Violence Protection Orders/Notices – which aim to provide victims with immediate protection following an incident of domestic violence and gives them time to consider what to do next.
“We never forget that behind these statistics are real victims of crime and our new Chief Constable Catherine Roper has set Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) as one of her top priorities for the force. It goes without saying that we take reports of rape and sexual assault incredibly seriously and we want our communities to have complete confidence in reporting these types of offences to us.
“We have recruited extra specialist staff to ensure victims are supported throughout the whole process and all rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) cases are investigated by specially-trained detectives. In addition, all cases are prosecuted by specialist lawyers who are trained to understand the challenges that are often associated with such cases.
“We are already seeing the benefits of this approach and we are hopeful that this will be reflected in future data. We are seeing more cases referred to the Crown Prosecution Service more quickly. We are also seeing an increased number of perpetrators being charged and prosecuted.
“This is not something which can be drastically improved overnight, but we want this to be a sustained, long-term action plan that makes a real difference for victims and brings offenders to justice.
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, said:
“Victims of all sexual offences need, and deserve, quality investigations with perpetrators swiftly bought to justice through the criminal justice system. Wiltshire Police is showing that progress has been made in the last 12 months - and that is welcomed - but the Chief Constable and I are under no illusion there is still work to be done.
“Domestic abuse arrests rates are improving steadily and the Force has significantly increased the number of domestic violence protection orders issued, which is a step in the right direction.
“These figures show the Force’s new Volume Crime Teams are driving performance improvements in investigations, particularly around domestic abuse – with more cases referred to Crown Prosecution Service, more quickly, and the number of perpetrators being charged and prosecuted is increasing.
“A promise of tangible change, which can be seen and felt by victims who call for help when they are at their most vulnerable, has been made by the Force and it is my job to ensure that is delivered and the Force has the right tools and resources needed to aid that."
Wiltshire's PCC says more money is being put into preventing sexual offences and violence against women and girls - thanks to a rise in our council tax bills:
“With the key investment of £750k, from the precept, in the Forces’ dedicated VAWG team and Chief Constable Catherine Roper now in post and violence against women and girls a key strand through her Safer Spaces and Violence priorities, I am confident residents will continue to see these improvements being made and that this will be reflected in future data.
“I believe that one victim is one victim to many, which is why I would urge victims of rape and sexual assault to report offences to the police so they can be fully investigated.”
Sexual offences of any kind can be reported to Wiltshire Police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Victims can also seek support and counselling from the Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on 01793 781916.