Sex offences hit 'two-decade high' in NI

The number of sex offences carried out in Northern Ireland has hit an almost two-decade high, with 3,158 reported in the last year.

According to the latest PSNI crime statistics for 2016/17, the number of recorded sexual offences rose by 4% on the previous year.

The rate of increase may be less than has been recorded over the last year years, but the total figure is the highest since 1998/99.

The number of domestic abuse motivated incidents also rose to the highest level since the data series began in 2004/05.

However, the number of crimes with a domestic abuse motivation actually fell slightly, by 1%, to 13,933.

Crime generally has continued to decrease though, with the overall figure the lowest since 1998/99.

A total of 98,076 crimes were recorded.

Hate crimes are also broadly on the decrease, with fewer racist, sectarian, homophobic and disability-related incidents.

The number of incidents and crimes related to faith/religion rose slightly though, while one more transphobic incident was recorded and the number of transphobic crimes remained the same at 12.

“These figures show a snapshot of crime types we are dealing with,” PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Drew Harris said.

“But it is also important to acknowledge that, although the statistics show the number of traditional crimes recorded has fallen, demand on policing is increasing and becoming more complex.

“Traditional crime has given way to those less visible, more complex crimes such as public protection offending and cyber-crime.”

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