Sex offence rise 'due to Jimmy Savile effect'

But a spokesman for regional Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Anthony Stansfeld said the “Savile effect” was still a factor.
This is a reference to the sudden leap in reported sexual offences nationally following publicity surrounding the late disc jockey and presenter Jimmy Savile’s five decades as the country’s most prolific abuser.
Mr Stansfeld’s policy adviser Gary Evans also highlighted a six per cent drop in overall crime in the Thames Valley area compared to a one per cent reduction in England and Wales.
The ONS figures cover the year up until June and show that regional sexual offences are up 26 per cent, compared to 21 per cent for the whole of England and Wales.
Mr Evans said: “High profile cases have instilled some confidence in victims coming forward and reporting historic cases to police. It’s the Savile effect and it’s happening nationally. Although the regional figures are higher, we appear to bridging the gap - the figures for this quarter show a slight reduction to the previous quarter.”
Meanwhile, although violence against the person is up one per cent, this is set against a national rise of 11 per cent.
There was more good news on the domestic burglary front, down a whopping 20 per cent compared to a reduction in England and Wales of 21 per cent.
Mr Stansfeld said: “I was delighted to see another fall in crime in the Thames Valley. One of my key priorities is burglary and I was particularly pleased to some excellent reductions here.
“I’m also pleased to see the relatively low levels of violence across our communities being maintained. Victims of sexual offences are continuing to report these types of crime and it is my role, along with the police, partners and other agencies, to support victims in such cases.