Sexual crime has soared in the North Ayrshire area, alarming figures reveal. Overall, sexual crime has shown an increase of 11.6 per cent in the period from late December until the end of March, compared to the same period a year ago. This is an increase of 22.6 per cent on the five-year average.
Rape Cases Decline
Chief Superintendent Suzanne Chow told the North Ayrshire Police and Fire and Rescue committee on Monday: “Recorded Rape crimes have reduced by 6.5 per cent from 62 last year to 58 this year. Furthermore, the detection rate for rape has risen by 2.1 per cent. There continues to be focused attention on this area of policing and safeguarding.”
Sexual Assaults Increase
Sexual Assaults have risen from 134 recorded incidents in the Previous Year to Date (PYTD) to 154 incidents by the end of Quarter Four CYTD (Calendar Year to Date).
The Chief Superintendent added: “Officers continue to investigate such crimes robustly to identify perpetrators. However, there is also continued work by Preventions, Campus and Local Policing officers focusing on educating young people on behaviours that are not acceptable and should be reported to education staff and/or police. Throughout the school calendar year Campus Officers continue to deliver inputs on sextortion, misogyny, and online safety.”
Decrease in Some Offences
There has been a decrease again this quarter in crimes involving causing to view sexual activity or images. This has dropped by 14 per cent from 57 (PYTD) to 49 (CYTD) and by 7.9 per cent on the five-year average – 53 crimes.
Prevention and Education Efforts
Locality Policing (community and campus) officers continue to work proactively to reduce the number of victims of sexual crime and encourage a safe space in which to report. This is predominantly undertaken by educating young people in schools particularly with increasing awareness of online sexual crime and highlighting behaviours that are deemed unacceptable and illegal.
Dedicated Public Protection officers are also based in North Ayrshire with their primary focus to investigate sexual offences. They are supported by specialist officers from national divisions who provide further expertise when needed. Close collaboration with partners including the Violence Against Women and Girls network strengthens prevention and early intervention, focusing on healthy relationships, consent and tackling relationship abuse.
