The number of sex offences reported in Cheshire has jumped more than a quarter in one year to hit a 13-year high.

There were 1,317 sexual offences reported to the police force in the year to September 2015, up 29% from 1,020 in the previous year.

This is the highest number of crimes reported in a year since records began in 2003.

Cheshire Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable Guy Hindle said the force continues to encourage victims to come forward and has made changes to ensure accuracy and consistency in the recording of rape and sexual offences.

Increase lower than national average

“Nationally, the number of sexual offences reported to police has continued to increase – up almost 40% from the previous year,” he said.

“In Cheshire, that increase is 29% – lower than the national average, although our understanding is that we can expect this trend to continue both locally and nationally.”

Assistant Chief Constable Hindle explained that the increase can be attributed to many factors, but is predominantly believed to be due to an increasing number of victims of sexual offences having the confidence to report offences.

He explained: “Not all wish to pursue a prosecution but feel there is a need to report a sexual crime.

“Many of these reports relate to non-recent incidents.

“It is an issue that has been given greater prominence following high-profile national cases such as Jimmy Saville and other prominent figures.

Working to build trust

“We can take some confidence that victims are more willing to report offences, but continue to work hard to build trust and an environment that encourages every victim to report every offence.”

A Public Protection Directorate has been created following a review of the force’s structure, which they say reinforces their commitment to tackling sexual offences and consists of the Dedicated Rape Unit.

“The unit, which was created in 2011, has been recognised by the Policing Minister amongst others as providing an excellent service to victims whilst investigating offences effectively,” Assistant Chief Constable Hindle added.

National figures

Police recorded crime figures for sexual offences in England and Wales rose 36% for the year ending September 2015 compared with the previous year (up from 73,003 to 99,609), reaching the highest volume recorded since the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in April 2002.

Additionally, the latest rises are among the largest year-on-year increases since the introduction of the NCRS in the year ending March 2003.

Police recorded rape increased by 39% (to 33,431 offences) compared with the previous year, following increases every year since year ending March 2008.

Other sexual offences increased by 35% (to 66,178 offences).

Both rape and other sexual offences are at the highest level since the NCRS was introduced in year ending March 2003.

Sexual offences against children contributed 44% to the total increase in sexual offences recorded by the police.

Analysis of records from the Home Office Data Hub, indicate that both current and historical offences (those that took place over 12 months before being reported) continued to rise in the year ending September 2015. However, the major volume contribution to this increase comes from current offences.