Reported cases of repeat victims of sexual offences are on the rise according to the latest statistics discussed by the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel.
In February 2021, the number of repeat victims was recorded as 2,468. By December 2022 the number of logged cases increased by 48% to 3,664. The data collected refers to all sexual offences.
The latest data, from January and February this year, shows there have been 654 reported cases of people who reported they were victims of repeat offences.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness about the figures, who called for changes to the criminal justice system.
Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Kim McGuinness said: "When it comes to sexual violence, the system fails the victim. We need to have a real focus on supporting these victims and achieving prosecutions.
"I want to see more victims coming forward and we need to reduce waiting times for trials, better quality investigations, and we need the system to improve.
"We have put in place support services for victims as well as all the prevention work we do and we consider these serious crimes."
The figures are from the PCC's Delivery of the Police and Crime Plan. The plan also details current police operations to prevent sexual offences. Operation Redeemer operates to identify sexual assaults by men posing as taxi drivers in Newcastle city centre.
As a result of the operation, several men have been identified as 'subjects of concern' by police. In one extraordinary case study from 2022, three women were picked up by a fraudulent taxi driver who had gone to the lengths of installing a fake meter in his vehicle.
A total of 15 vehicles have been subsequently seized by police as part of the operation with more than 30 people safeguarded.
According to Northumbria Police, warnings were issued to a total of seven drivers who were found to have used vehicles to cause distress, alarm or annoyance or in an anti-social manner.
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