Rise in Midlands sex crimes as more cases reported
The number of sexual offences has rocketed across the Midlands – but police bosses insist the increase is positive.
Reports have gone up by 18 per cent in the West Midlands, 23 per cent in Staffordshire and 55 per cent in West Mercia in one year.
More than 7,500 offences were reported in 2014/15 across the three forces.
Police chiefs say high profile convictions such as Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris have encouraged more victims to come forward.
And in the West Midlands they say it is a result of Operation Sentinel, a drive to get vulnerable victims who would not usually report their crime to contact police.
West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson said: "It was recognised that sustained partnership would help to unlock doors that were currently closed and to build confidence amongst communities.
"Only by working together to forge ideas, strategies and commitments to empower those victims who have not got a voice, can West Midlands Police and partners defend their rights and safeguard them from harm."
Detective Chief Superintendent Danny Long, head of West Midlands Police's Public Protection Unit, said: "The Savile effect has undoubtedly prompted more people to speak out about abuse they suffered as a child.
"But that's not the only reason we're seeing a rise in our region. We've seen the number of detectives dedicated to investigating abuse almost triple. We're also in our second year of Sentinel ? an initiative to raise awareness and increase reports of crimes which were once taboo."
West Mercia PCC Bill Longmore said: "Historically, a lot of people have not gone to the police when they have become victims. Nowhere has this been more evident than with the so-called Savile effect, when many victims of historical sex abuse came forward to report the offences in the wake of scandals involving Jimmy Savile and others.
"The force has seen a big increase in reports of violent and sexual offences as a result of that – much like pretty much every other force in England and Wales. Some of the offences being recorded could have happened decades ago, but they will still count on the recorded crime statistics for the last 12 months."
Det Supt Tim Martin, from Staffordshire Police, said child sexual abuse in particular was a priority for the force.
