THE NUMBER of rapes across the county has gone up by more than 66 per cent and sex offences have increased by 35 per cent in the last year.

But overall crime has dropped, according to the latest police figures.

Between April 2014 and the end of March this year, Thames Valley Police (TVP) had 305 recorded rapes in Oxfordshire, up 66.7 per cent from the same period in 2013/14, when 183 rapes were recorded.

Other sexual assaults rose by 35 per cent to 677 since last year (13/14), and there were 4,946 violent crimes, up by nine per cent.

But overall, there were 32,799 recorded crimes across the county, 2,438 fewer than last year – representing a seven per cent drop.

Supt Christian Bunt, area commander for Oxford – which saw 54 more rapes than last year’s 66, representing a rise of 82 per cent – said the increase in sexual and violent crimes was because more domestic violence victims felt confident to report crimes.

But Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre director Lisa Ward warned conviction rates needed to improve to ensure victims still had the confidence to come forward and report assaults.

Supt Bunt said: “We are seeing a lot more confidence in victims. People are disclosing a lot more to us, that’s where the biggest increase comes from.”

Supt Kath Lowe, area commander for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire – which saw 112 rapes, an increase of 72 per cent from last year – added: “A lot of people now have the confidence to come to us about offences that took place many, many years ago.”

So-called historic rapes – attacks that took place before April 2014 – made 31 per cent of the county’s recorded rapes.

Supt Lowe said: “That confidence applies to more recent victims as well; adults who have been affected for most of their lives.

“Rape and sexual assaults are still vastly under-reported. There is still some way to go before we really see the real levels.”

As previously reported in the Oxford Mail, Oxford has the lowest outcome rate for rapes across TVP, with just 12.5 per cent of cases seeing a charge or caution.

Supt Bunt said: “They are complex cases and often victims do not want to go through with a prosecution.

“Clearly we need to improve that outcome rate. It’s something we’ll have a bigger focus on.”

Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre director Lisa Ward agreed the rising report rates and “a sense of trust in the system”

were a positive sign.

But she added: “People may feel there’s not much point reporting it if there’s little chance of a prosecution.

“People’s reasons for reporting rapes vary. They may just want it recorded that it happened even if their attacker is dead.”

Robberies dropped by 22 per cent from 203 to 159 across the county, while there were 2,663 burglaries, 14.5 per cent less than last year.

Vehicle crime also dropped by 18 per cent from 2,906 to 2,387 recorded offences, including car theft, breaking into vehicles and vehicle interference.

Supt Bunt said the drop in burglaries was down to “continued focus and police activity around crime awareness” and added the force worked closely with both universities as students were traditionally a target for burglars.

Oxford saw the biggest increase in violent crimes across the county, up 12.5 per cent to 1,843.

Supt Bunt said: “It seems like a lot but when you put that in context of 130,000 permanent residents and 9.5m visitors every year, it’s not quite as bad as it seems.”

Michael Morris, 61, was attacked at his home in Berinsfield in June and left unconscious and bloodied in hospital.

While his attacker is now serving an eight-month jail sentence, he said low prosecution rates were why criminals continue to commit violent crimes.

He said: “Most cases don’t even go to court. I’m worried sick and I don’t go out by myself now because I’m frightened. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

Oxford East parliamentary candidate Andrew Smith said: “The rise in rape and domestic violence is very worrying and underlines the importance of more stable funding for rape crisis centres and support for victims of abuse.”

Oxford West and Abingdon parliamentary candidate Nicola Blackwood said: “Although low compared to the rest of the country, the rise in violent crime is concerning.”

Police and crime commissioner for the Thames Valley Anthony Stansfeld said: “Levels of violence in the Thames Valley remain consistently low in comparison with other forces, and the small increase in cases is largely because of lowering the criteria required for reporting.”

KEY STATISTICS

  • Overall crime: 35,237, down 7 per cent
  • Rape: 305, up 66.7 per cent
  • Sexual offences: 677, up 34.6 per cent
  • Violent crime: 4,946, up 9 per cent
  • Robbery: 159, down 21.7 per cent
  • Burglary: 2,663, down 14.5 per cent
  • Vehicle crime: 2,387, down 17.9 per cent

Editor's note: The figure about historic rapes was originally published in error as 10 per cent. The correct figure is 31 per cent