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Sexual offences recorded by police 'up 20%' Sexual offences recorded by police 'up 20%'
(about 1 hour later)
Sexual offences recorded by police in England and Wales increased by 20% in the year to March, newly released figures show.Sexual offences recorded by police in England and Wales increased by 20% in the year to March, newly released figures show.
They point to no change in the level of overall crime between April 2013 and March 2014.They point to no change in the level of overall crime between April 2013 and March 2014.
It is the first time recorded crime has remained static since 2002/3.It is the first time recorded crime has remained static since 2002/3.
The separate Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSWE) indicated offending levels dropped by 14% in the same period.The separate Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSWE) indicated offending levels dropped by 14% in the same period.
The CSEW report, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimates crime levels based on how many people say they have been the victim.The CSEW report, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimates crime levels based on how many people say they have been the victim.
Separate statistics, also published by the ONS, are collated by police.Separate statistics, also published by the ONS, are collated by police.
'Operation Yewtree effect''Operation Yewtree effect'
The police figures indicate that rape had risen by 27%, hitting its highest level since 2002/3.The police figures indicate that rape had risen by 27%, hitting its highest level since 2002/3.
Other types of sex crime were up by 17% in the covered period.Other types of sex crime were up by 17% in the covered period.
Mark Bangs, from the ONS, said: "Part of the rise in sexual offences is related to the effect of the Operation Yewtree investigation which has brought to light a large number of historic sexual offences.Mark Bangs, from the ONS, said: "Part of the rise in sexual offences is related to the effect of the Operation Yewtree investigation which has brought to light a large number of historic sexual offences.
"The increase is also likely to reflect a broader Yewtree effect whereby more victims are coming forward to report sexual offences to the police.""The increase is also likely to reflect a broader Yewtree effect whereby more victims are coming forward to report sexual offences to the police."
ONS figures also show that the number of police officers fell to its lowest number for 12 years. Home Office figures also show that the number of police officers fell to its lowest number for 12 years.
There were 127,909 officers in 43 police forces, down 1,674 compared with a year earlier.There were 127,909 officers in 43 police forces, down 1,674 compared with a year earlier.
That is the fifth consecutive annual fall.That is the fifth consecutive annual fall.
The number of police civilian staff and community support officers also fell.The number of police civilian staff and community support officers also fell.
Home Office minister Norman Baker said he was encouraged by the figures.Home Office minister Norman Baker said he was encouraged by the figures.
He told BBC News: "People are showing more confidence in the police and reporting more crimes that they hereto weren't reporting."He told BBC News: "People are showing more confidence in the police and reporting more crimes that they hereto weren't reporting."
He also suggested there were less demands on police as a result of the fall in crime.He also suggested there were less demands on police as a result of the fall in crime.
He said: "Crime goes down year on year so in that sense there is less for the police to do.He said: "Crime goes down year on year so in that sense there is less for the police to do.
"If crime is going down year on year… clearly that has an impact on the number of police officers you need on the street.""If crime is going down year on year… clearly that has an impact on the number of police officers you need on the street."
Dangerous drivingDangerous driving
He added: "Crime is down and police are able to deal with the cases coming forward".He added: "Crime is down and police are able to deal with the cases coming forward".
The police figures show deaths by dangerous driving rose to 282 offences from 174 the previous year,The police figures show deaths by dangerous driving rose to 282 offences from 174 the previous year,
Violence was up 6%, by around 33,000 offences.Violence was up 6%, by around 33,000 offences.
However, the Crime Survey showed a different picture, with 1.3 million violent incidents in the period covered, a drop of 20%.However, the Crime Survey showed a different picture, with 1.3 million violent incidents in the period covered, a drop of 20%.