Serious sexual offences and stalking in Suffolk rose by more than 8% last year
Solved rates for rape and serious sexual offences were also higher last year
Last updated 22nd Mar 2023
Rape, serious sexual offences and stalking rates in Suffolk rose by more than eight percent last year compared with 2021.
Solved rates for rape and serious sexual offences were also higher last year, but the proportion of solved stalking cases fell.
This is according to a report by Suffolk’s chief constable into the police’s support for vulnerable victims.
"You need to stop"
A Suffolk Constabulary spokesperson said: “To stop domestic abuse, perpetrators need to change their behaviour.
“If you are abusing your partner – if you used your fist today on them, made threats to them or are currently searching through their phone conversations – you need to stop.
“You need to face up to your problems and recognise that you are causing harm to those closest to you.
“Police will arrest you, seek to charge you and place you before the courts so you are held accountable.
“We would implore anyone who has or is suffering from domestic abuse to speak with us. Talking to somebody is the first step.
“All reports of a domestic or sexual nature are given a priority response.
“Investments in training, alongside the use of forensic science and technology, are ensuring investigations are carried out to a high standard.”
The spokesperson also mentioned the police’s work with domestic abuse organisations and Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), who work to help domestic abuse victims gain safety and rebuild their lives.
IDVAs are funded by the police and crime commissioner.
"Recognise that you are causing harm to those closest to you"
The number of rape and serious sexual offence cases in Suffolk was more than eight percent higher last year than the year before, and there were almost ten percent more reported stalking incidents.
The solved and charged rates for rape and serious sexual offences was up by just over one percent, while for stalking the solved rate was down by almost three percent.
Though stalking incidents increased, harassment cases decreased – by just under one percent.
Amanda Page, operational manager for domestic abuses outreach services with Anglia Care Trust, said: “It is always concerning to see an increase in these kinds of crimes.
“This can be for a multitude of reasons – such as more victims coming forward, more education on stalking, and of course more crime.
“It is important to understand this is an increase in victims being seen, heard and offered support services.
“These figures also support the need for further education on healthy relationships.”
Ms Page also explained that a referral to specialist support services that are separate from the police is made when the police are called to a domestic abuse incident.
The figures
The number of domestic abuse victims in Suffolk last year was 6,436 – which is 4.6 percent more than in 2021.
The number of domestic abuse crimes increased by 2.8 percent to 9,301 in the same period.
The domestic abuse solved rate was one percent lower in 2022 than 2021, while the charged rate was 0.2 percent higher.
Of these domestic abuse victims last year, 25.5 percent were repeat victims – meaning they reported more than one offence over 12 months. This is similar to the proportion in 2021.
The last 12 months has seen the highest number of domestic abuse victims in the policing locality of Ipswich East, Felixstowe and Woodbridge – where there were 1,140 victims.
Second and third worst were Lowestoft, with 1,042 victims, and Ipswich West and Hadleigh, with 1,040 victims.
Sudbury had 810 victims, Mildenhall had 634, Bury St Edmunds had 545, Stowmarket had 483, Ipswich Central had 444 and Halesworth had the fewest – at 412.
If you need help:
Victims and those worried about someone can call Anglia Care Trust’s free, 24/7 and confidential domestic abuse helpline: 0800 9775690. More information about the helpline can be found at www.suffolkdahelpline.org.uk.
Domestic abuse perpetrators and those supporting them to change their ways can call the confidential Respect phoneline: 0808 8024040.