Norfolk PCC says expert-led prevention plan being created to tackle rise in sexual offences
706 of these crimes were recorded here last year - the biggest annual total Norfolk Police has identified in nine years
Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner is telling us she's putting together an expert-led plan to prevent sexual offences in the county and improve support available for victims.
Figures from the Constabulary, seen by us, show that the highest level of this type of crime - in over nine years - was recorded here in 2024, with 706 identified last year, up from 573 in 2023.
"They're managing hundreds of cases - not the dozen they might have before"
Sarah Taylor was elected into the role in May 2024: "It's certainly the case that there will be a great deal more people who've been harmed by this, than who are coming forwards and reporting it.
"In a strange sort of way, it is encouraging that more of those historic cases are coming through and people are seeking justice with them.
"I recently met with those who deal with this, at a victim-level. Their casework is huge now and they're managing hundreds of cases - not the dozen they might have before.
"In the past, there hasn't been a co-ordinated response to this. But now is the time pull all the information we have together, look hard at what has worked and what hasn't and discard the latter, so we can really focus on prevention."
The number of recorded crimes under 'Sexual Offences' in Norfolk:
2024- 706
2023- 573
2022- 695
2021- 624
2020- 578
2019- 490
2018- 420
2017- 364
2016- 249
2015- 41
(Source: Norfolk Police)
What's the Government said on this?
The Ministry of Justice and Home Office says it's aiming to halve violence against women and girls over the next 10 years, with a dedicated campaign being launched to help more victims get the help they need.