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.

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.