Rise in domestic abuse and sexual offences

Reports of sexual offences and domestic abuse to Northumbria Police have risen in 12 months, new figures have revealed.
Reports of sexual offences and domestic abuse to Northumbria Police have risen in 12 months.Reports of sexual offences and domestic abuse to Northumbria Police have risen in 12 months.
Reports of sexual offences and domestic abuse to Northumbria Police have risen in 12 months.

The Police and Crime Plan quarterly report revealed increasing recorded sexual offences and domestic abuse incidents.

In November 2017, there were 4,229 sexual offences recorded by police which equates to 12 per day.

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But a year later this figure increased to 4,880 or 13 reports per day.

The report broke this number down into quarterly figures.

In quarter one of 2017/18, 1,379 reports of sexual offences or 15 per day were made. In quarter two 1,261 reports or 14 per day were made.

There were 1,120 sexual offences were reported, or 12 per day, in quarter three and 1,206 in quarter four.

There has also been a spike in reports of domestic abuse.

In November 2017 there were 32,433 or 89 incidents recorded per day, a year later this rose to 35,290 or 97 reports per day.

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At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Northumbria Police and Crime Panel, Helen Murphy, business intelligence manager at Northumbria Police, said: “Sexual offences and sexual abuse incidents are an under reported crime so it isn’t always a negative to see this increase.

“We have further funding for operation Encompass where we share information with schools about children who have witnessed domestic abuse.”

The report stated that the  reporting and recording of rape crimes has increased.

While the current charge rate is under the threshold of nine per cent, there has been an improvement this quarter and the charge rate is seven per cent.

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It said: “The recent improvement in the charge rate can be attributed to charges from complex investigations and additional focus and resources in dedicated teams.”

Ms Murphy added: “The charge rate is seven per cent for 12 months that’s a reduction when we compare ourselves to last year. We’re above the national average.”

By Herbert Soden, Local Democracy Reporting Service