North Wales sees highest rise in reported sex crimes across whole of Wales and England

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North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has vowed to bring more sex offenders to justice.

The pledge from Arfon Jones is contained in a new policing ‘blueprint’ for the region.

It comes as latest crime data released by the Office of National Statistics shows the number of sex crimes reported to police in north Wales has risen by 41% in the 12 months to December 2016.

Tackling sex abuse in its various forms is one of five key priorities in the new Police and Crime Plan published by the commissioner – read more here:[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”black” css=”.vc_custom_1493685544856{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”North Wales police boss vows to bring more sex offenders to justice as new ‘blueprint for policing’ is unveiled” font_container=”tag:div|font_size:16px|text_align:left|color:%23af0000|line_height:15px” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css_animation=”none” link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.deeside.com%2Fnorth-wales-police-boss-vows-bring-sex-offenders-justice-new-blueprint-policing-unveiled%2F|||” css=”.vc_custom_1493732705687{margin-bottom: 22px !important;}”][vc_separator color=”black” css=”.vc_custom_1493684993937{margin-top: 10px !important;}”][vc_column_text]The latest figures show 1833 sex-related crimes were reported to North Wales police last year, up from 1307 the previous year and the greatest percentage increase out of any force in Wales and England.

Last year saw 2.5 sex-related crimes per 1000 people in North Wales, the highest rate in Wales and England, by contrast, Cheshire saw 1.5 sex offences per 1000 people reported, Merseyside 1.8 offences and the Metropolitan police force saw 2.0 offences per 1000 population.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner css=”.vc_custom_1493732527005{margin-bottom: -24px !important;background-color: #f9f9f9 !important;}”][vc_column_inner][vc_line_chart type=”line” legend=”” x_values=”2007;2008;2009;2010;2011;2012;2013;2014;2015;2016″ values=”%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22One%22%2C%22y_values%22%3A%22585%3B536%3B631%3B609%3B643%3B756%3B882%3B1137%3B1307%3B1833%22%2C%22color%22%3A%22blue%22%7D%5D” animation=”easeOutBack” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]

Dataset: Crime in England and Wales: Police Force Area Data Tables

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The huge spike in the number of sex offences reported to police in north Wales is due to a series of factors the crime commissioner says, they include raised public awareness of sexual offences in light of the recent national investigations.

Mr Jones says the “Savile effect” – where revelations about Jimmy Savile had encouraged other victims of sexual offences to come forward have played a major part.

The rise in reports may also reflect an increase in public confidence in the police’s ability to investigate crimes of this nature sensitively.

Arfon Jones said;

Sexual abuse can have an incalculable effect on people’s lives and it is difficult to imagine the pain that people must go through.

It’s really important that people feel that, if they come forward, they will be taken seriously and that there is support there afterwards to see them through so that they can cope with the abuse that they have lived with.

I was encouraged to see from the recent Crime Survey that public confidence in the work of North Wales Police is rising and this is a testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of the officers and staff along with the leadership of the chief constable and his team.

I was particularly pleased to see that North Wales Police is recognised as one of the best in the way it provides follow-up services to victims because they deserve all the help and support we can give them.

I am sure the Victim Help Centre in St Asaph, for which I provide funding, is playing an important part in improving the way support is given to them.

Whilst the overall picture is positive, there is no room for complacency and my new Police and Crime Plan sets out the strategic priorities as we move to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the force against a backdrop of continuing financial cuts.

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