Northern Ireland

PSNI crime figures show rise in sexual assaults

Domestic abuse has risen in the north, according to PSNI figures
Domestic abuse has risen in the north, according to PSNI figures Domestic abuse has risen in the north, according to PSNI figures

SEXUAL assaults are on the rise, according to the PSNI's annual crime figures.

The statistics, published yesterday, show a 1.8 per cent increase in crime in 2015/16, compared to the previous year's figures.

There was a steep rise in sexual offences, with the figures showing a 11.3 per cent increase in sex crimes.

More than 28,000 domestic abuse crimes were reported - the highest figure since police began recording such crimes in 2004/05.

Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris said robbery, burglary and car crimes had fallen to their lowest levels in the PSNI's history and there had been an increase in drug seizures.

He said although domestic abuse crimes had increased by 5.4 per cent on the previous year, victims may have been more willing to report the abuse to police.

"We see this as an indication of increased confidence in the service we deliver as people who may not have previously come forward are taking the courageous step and calling the police and we would continue urge anyone who is the victim of abuse to come forward and report it to us," he said.

Policing Board Vice Chair Debbie Watters welcomed the increase in drug seizures and a drop in anti-social behaviour but said police had failed to meet some key targets.

"The Board and the PSNI have focused on encouraging more people to report domestic abuse and, whilst the number of incidences in 2015/16 are the highest since the PSNI began to record these figures, they still fall short of the three per cent increase agreed and set out in last year’s Policing Plan," she said.

"We want people to have the confidence to report this crime but it is also important that they know the crime will be resolved and measures such as body worn video for specific officers will go some way to assist in that."

She said the board will question Chief Constable George Hamilton about the figures at its June meeting.