Increased victim confidence behind crime rises, including sex offences, say Hampshire and Dorset police

CRIME rates have risen in Hampshire and Dorset over the past 12 months, new figures show.

But Hampshire police argued its 17% annual increase in total recorded crime in the year ending September 2022, was “not necessarily a negative thing”.

Ch. Supt Raj Kohli, Hampshire’s violence against women and girls lead, acknowledged the increase in sex offences but highlighted a proactive approach to encouraging victims to come forward.

“An increase in recorded crime as shown by the ONS statistics is not necessarily a negative thing,” Ch. Supt Kohli said.

“Whilst we cannot categorically state the full reasons behind these increases, a rise in recorded crime can show that the public have greater confidence in coming forward to speak to us and we welcome that.

“These offences can be incredibly traumatic for victims and no one should feel reluctant to report this kind of crime.”

He added: “We want to reassure residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, that as a police force, we are fully committed to tackling sexual offences.”

His comment was in response to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, which showed theft from the person as the biggest rise in both counties – up 36% in Hampshire and 52% in Dorset.

Dorset Police maintained it still oversaw the country’s sixth safest area despite a 5% increase.

Drug offences represented Hampshire’s only drop in crime (7% down on the previous year), while Dorset’s largest drop was bicycle theft (18%).

Sex offences rose 22% in Hampshire, with stalking and harassment up 29%.

In Dorset, the sex offences increase was 18%, but stalking and harassment fell 0.5%.

In Hampshire violence against the person was up 22%.

Possession of weapons offences in the county rose 22%, theft offences 17%, public order 15%, robbery 10%, criminal damage and arson 9% and burglary 7%.

In Dorset, violence against the person rose 6%, along with weapons possession (18%), theft (8%), public order and burglary (1% each).

But robbery was static, while criminal damage and arson was down 2%, along with drug offences (12%).

As well as increased confidence among sex offence victims, Dorset Police argued a crime rise was expected after a fall during the Covid lockdowns.

But it pointed out its overall rise was “notably lower” than the 12.6% average for other parts of England and Wales.Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: “We continue to strive to be the safest county in the country and remain driven to relentlessly pursue those criminals who cause the most harm to our communities, keeping people safe and putting victims first.

“We are absolutely committed to supporting victims of sexual offences and rape and bringing their offenders to justice.”