20% Rise In Serious Sexual Crime Reported In Essex

22 September 2014, 08:17

There has been a rise of almost 20% in the number of serious sexual crimes reported to Essex Police.

The force has released figures for the three months to July which have highlighted the increase.

It does also point out that the "solved" rate for the crime has also increased by nearly 3% to around 20%.

Chief Constable of Essex Police, Stephen Kavanagh, says victims are more confident about coming forward: "We need to be conscious about working with young people about what 'no' means, but Essex Police has seen better contact with victims groups, we're seeing better support from the CPS and we're getting outcomes for victims and I think that's reflected in an increase in confidence.

"We need to work with young victims groups and schools and women's groups to give them confidence that they will be believed and the sexual referral centres and the support from medical practitioners sensitively dealing with victims helps enormously.