A rise in reported sex crimes locally is because more victims now have the confidence to come forward, according to a top cop.
Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff spoke at a meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council’s housing and communities committee last week, introducing a report that showed an 11.4 percent year-on-year rise in sexual crimes.
The report says: “Increased crime levels are mainly as a result of a 38.5 percent increase in sexual assaults (+20).
Crimes relating to lewd and libidinous practises have also increased significantly from six to 17 (+12) year-on-year, nearly all relate to non-recent reports.
“Rape crimes have seen a slight increase of three percent (+1).
“Almost 70 percent of indecent assault and lewd and libidinous crimes occurred in a private setting, with 60 percent of these being non-recent reports.”
Elsewhere violent crime also increased, with 17 additional cases being reported over the quarter when compared with last year, and the figure sitting 16.5 percent above the five year average.
However anti-social behaviour crimes have dropped by 32 percent, whilst the number of people being charged with supplying drugs dropped by 14 percent.
Commenting on the figures, Chief Superintendent Ratcliff said that she hoped more victims of historical crimes coming forward would lead to perpetrators facing justice.
She said: “Unfortunately and in keeping with the national picture, crimes of violence have increased since last year, and most significantly against the five year average.
“In real terms the additional numbers are low, and they are mainly attributable to online crime. Mainly threats and extortion which were recently added to the classification.
“This does represent 17 additional victims of crime and we must, and will, take additional steps to drive it down.
“Reported sexual crimes have increased, however almost 60 percent of them are historical crimes which I really hope is indicative of increased victim confidence to come forward and report things that have happened in the past.
“Our detection rates for sexual crimes continue to improve.
“We have a number of ongoing investigations within the local division, supported by national and specialist officers. I’m confident that they will deliver positive results in the coming weeks and months.”
