Rise in sexual offences in Bournemouth

That's the response from the lead member for community safety at BCP Council in light of a rise in sexual offences in the conurbation.

More sexual offences were recorded in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the last year, despite an overall drop in recorded crime.

Dorset Police recorded 1,235 incidents of sexual offences in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the 12 months to September, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of 8 per cent compared to the previous year.

Police forces across England and Wales logged the highest number of rapes and sexual offences in a 12-month period in the year to September, the figures show.

Cllr Bobbie Dove, portfolio holder for community safety at BCP Council said: "In the wake of the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard in March last year, plus media coverage and various campaigns aimed at increasing reporting and challenging offenders, the increase in reports in the BCP area reflects what is happening nationally.

“Whatever the number of those impacted by sexual violence, it is too many, and BCP council continue to work with our partners in health and criminal justice to encourage victims to report these offences and to offer them support in doing so.

"BCP Community Safety Partnership, in which the Council is a leading partner, is clear that all violent and sexual crime is abhorrent, including violence against women and girls. We are working together to support victims but also to prevent offending by raising awareness and changing attitudes to how women and girls are perceived in our communities."

Superintendent Joan Carmichael, of Dorset Police, said: “Dorset Police takes all reports of sexual offences very seriously and officers are committed to carrying out thorough investigations to bring offenders to justice.

“We know that sexual offences can have a lifelong impact on victims and therefore, we work closely with our partner agencies to tackle these offences and provide extensive support.

“We have dedicated officers who are specially trained to help victims and ensure they are supported and signposted to the relevant agencies.

“I would strongly encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault, whether recently or in the past, to contact Dorset Police online from www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online or by telephone to 101. In an emergency always call 999. Not everyone will wish to involve the police at first, but if that is the case please use the services provided anonymously by The Shores at 0800 970 9954 or www.the-shores.org.uk.”

David Sidwick, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset said: "Since being elected in May, I have been working on implementing my Police and Crime Plan, which has at its heart priorities on tackling violence, domestic abuse, stalking and other high harm areas such as VAWG. I am really pleased to say that there have been some significant developments when it comes to partnership working in this space.

“Only last week I got to put a question to Rachel Maclean, Minister for Safeguarding at the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Summit. I challenged the government on the introduction of a Stalking Register for those who fixate on sequential victims and I pledge to continue to ask the awkward questions and ask for more and more of our government in support of those who have been a victim of a sexual crime.

“Make no mistake, tackling sexual offences, rape, domestic abuse, stalking and VAWG are all priority areas and I will work tirelessly alongside the Chief Constable to drive down sexual crime and make Dorset the safest county."