Sex offences soar in West Midlands

Violent and sexual offences across the West Midlands have soared in the past year, according to new police figures.

In Staffordshire the number of sexual offences recorded by the police jumped 38 per cent while violence against the person went up 18 per cent.

And in the West Midlands Police area sexual offences climbed 13 per cent and violence by 11 per cent.

West Mercia Police recorded a 10 per cent hike in sexual offences but a slight drop in violence.

Nationally the number of rapes recorded by the police increased 29 per cent to 22,116 incidents in the year to June, the highest level recorded, the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Statisticians said the rise was driven by an increase in the willingness to come forward and report the offences - dubbed the 'Yewtree effect' after the Scotland Yard investigation into Jimmy Savile and others - as well as an improvement in police recording practices.

Across Endland and Wales knifepoint rape surged 48 per cent in the same period, up 48 per cent to 294 from 199 the previous year, while knifepoint sexual assaults were up 22 per cent to 111 from 91.

Hate crime showed an increase of five per cent to 44,480 incidents in the period, up from 42,236 the previous year.

In Staffordshire over the past year 1,619 sexual offences were reported while there were 3,143 in the West Midlands force area. West Mercia handled 1,347 reported sex offences.

Yet despite the increases, experts said it was an encouraging sign that such crimes were being brought more to officers' attention.

The national policing lead for crime statistics, Chief Constable Jeff Farrar, said: "It's reassuring to see increased reporting of sexual offences, as this shows that victims of abuse have greater confidence that if they report to the police they will be listened to, taken seriously and their report will be investigated fully, regardless of when the offence took place."

Crime prevention minister Norman Baker said: "There are now 2.3 million fewer crimes per year than when the coalition Government took office.

"That includes 413,000 fewer acts of violence and 160,000 fewer burglaries, with criminal damage down by 962,000 incidents. This is good news for a safer England and Wales.

"There are also positive signs that police recording of crime is improving, and that more victims of crimes such as sexual offences and fraud are coming forward - which is something we welcome."