PCC responds to latest sexual offences figures

Friday, 24 March 2023 00:00

This week the Office of National Statistics (ONS) released the sexual offences in England and Wales overview for the year ending March 2022.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “Victims of all sexual offences need, and deserve, quality investigations with perpetrators swiftly bought to justice through the criminal justice system.

“Wiltshire Police is showing that progress has been made in the last 12 months - and that is welcomed - but the Chief Constable and I are under no illusion there is still work to be done.

“Domestic abuse arrests rates are improving steadily and the Force has significantly increased the number of domestic violence protection orders issued, which is a step in the right direction.

“These figures show the Force’s new Volume Crime Teams are driving performance improvements in investigations, particularly around domestic abuse – with more cases referred to Crown Prosecution Service, more quickly, and the number of perpetrators being charged and prosecuted is increasing.

“A promise of tangible change, which can be seen and felt by victims who call for help when they are at their most vulnerable, has been made by the Force and it is my job to ensure that is delivered and the Force has the right tools and resources needed to aid that.

“With the key investment of £750k, from the precept, in the Forces’ dedicated VAWG team and Chief Constable Catherine Roper now in post and violence against women and girls a key strand through her Safer Spaces and Violence priorities, I am confident residents will continue to see these improvements being made and that this will be reflected in future data.

“I believe that one victim is one victim to many, which is why I would urge victims of rape and sexual assault to report offences to the police so they can be fully investigated.”

You can access the latest ONS figures here.