Sexual offence reports rise by 80 per cent

THE number of recorded sexual offences has risen by 80 per cent in South Yorkshire during the year to the end of June, new figures have revealed.

There has also been an increase in crimes of violence, shoplifting and possession of offensive weapons in the county over the year.

But thefts of motor vehicles, vehicle crime, criminal damage and arson, drugs offences and theft are down.

Police say the increase in recorded sexual offences is largely due to more reporting rather than more offences overall.

The force has increased the number of staff investigating child sexual exploitation six-fold.

There was an increase in recorded crime by 1.5 per cent in the year up to June in South Yorkshire.

The county has also seen an increase in violence against the person of 28 per cent,while possession of offensive weapons up by 18 per cent and shoplifting by six per cent.

But over the last year, theft of motor vehicles has fallen by 15 per cent, theft from vehicles down by 15 per cent, vehicle crime has decreased by 13 per cent, criminal damage and arson down by seven per cent, drugs offences have fallen by 12 per cent and theft has reduced by two per cent.

The South Yorkshire force has been asked to make savings of £45 million by 2017.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Holt said: “Despite continued challenges, we have worked extremely hard to ensure overall crime levels have remained relatively static.

“The force is committed to delivering the best possible service to victims of crime – whether they have been robbed or burgled or have made the courageous decision to tell us about sexual abuse they have endured.

“We are committed to tackling sexual offences and we continue to sensitively work with victims to bring offenders to justice.

“Child sexual exploitation is a top priority for the force and we’ve implemented a six-fold increase in the amount of staff dedicated to tackling child sexual exploitation.

“The willingness of victims to report sexual offences is encouraging. Sexual assault victims can understandably find it extremely difficult to come forward and this significant increase in recorded offences gives me confidence that victims are telling us about what’s happened to them in the belief they will be listened to.”