Rise in reported sexual offences could be linked to increased victim confidence

Greater victim confidence in reporting, enhanced officer training and targeted strategies to tackle violence against women and girls and sexual offences could have contributed to a rise in these reported offences in Wiltshire. 

Latest figures, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) ahead of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week, highlights a rise in recorded sexual offences locally and nationally. In Wiltshire, recorded offences increased from 1,999 to 2,286 in the year ending September 2025 - a 14% increase -while England and Wales saw an 8% rise over the same period. 

This sits alongside Wiltshire’s position as the safest county in England per head of population for overall crime - reinforcing that while the county remains a safe place to live, work and socialise, sexual offences and VAWG-related harm remain a significant priority requiring sustained focus and investment. 

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said while any increase in reported crime in one area appears alarming, the jump could mean the strides being made by Wiltshire Police to tackle these crimes could mean victims now feel more able to come forward.

He added stronger recording practices within the county, wider awareness of support services and boosted training for offices are focusing on bringing these crimes to the forefront and will be having an impact.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said: “While any rise in reported sexual offences is clearly a concern, it is important to recognise that increases can reflect growing confidence among victims to report, improved awareness of support services and stronger crime recording practices. 

“But I have always been clear that statistics alone never tell the whole story. We can measure crime in many ways but what matters most is whether people feel safe in their homes, their communities and their daily lives. If the public do not feel safe -regardless of what the data shows - then we still have work to do. 

“Wiltshire Police has prioritised building trust through better training of officers, prioritising a victim first policy, investment in specialist roles and targeted strategies to prevent these types of crime from happening in the first place.  

“Of course, we all want to see these types of offences not taking place at all and my office continues to work in partnership with all local agencies to make Wiltshire a safer place for all to live, work and visit.” 

This local partnership approach is being driven and supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) with investment in community-based initiatives which has delivered better lighting, enhanced safety measures in key public spaces and targeted community engagement. Continued expansion and modernisation of CCTV across towns and high footfall areas is helping deter offending and support investigations. 

The OPCC also works closely with local authorities, education providers, third‑sector organisations and criminal justice partners to create safer environments and ensure victims receive joined up, specialist support. In the last four years, Wiltshire’s OPCC has helped to bring an additional £5.2M of funding to the county. 

However, Mr Wilkinson added the scale of violence against women and girls and sexual violence is a national epidemic, a view supported by government and national policing bodies and insisted policing alone, and at a local level, cannot fix it. 

He argues that real change needs proper funding, a joined-up strategy nationally and serious commitment from every agency involved. He stressed each statistic represents someone who has made an incredibly tough decision to speak out and that they deserve a system that actually delivers justice. 

Mr Wilkinson said: “One crime is one too many and one victim is one too many. I have been clear that sexual violence is nothing short of a national epidemic, reaching into every community. 

“This is not something policing can simply ‘arrest its way out of.’ If we are going to tackle this properly, we need serious investment and a national, coordinated strategy that brings every agency to the table. 

“This means long‑term, joined‑up action from health services, schools, social care, the courts and government. Without that collective effort, the cycle of offending will continue and far too many victims will continue to be let down.” 

Wiltshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Mark Cooper echoed the concerns and said officers and staff are more determined than ever to support victims, arrest offenders and protect communities.

He said the latest figures show Wiltshire Police is making real strides in winning back trust and encouraging victims to report offences that might previously have gone unchallenged.

Within Wiltshire Police, this includes extensive trauma‑informed training for officers and staff, ensuring that anyone who comes forward is met with care, understanding and professionalism. This work is supported by more rigorous crime‑recording practices, which help ensure offences are accurately captured from the outset and properly investigated.  

The Force also works within Operation Soteria - strengthening rape investigations by placing a much clearer focus on offender behaviour and evidence‑led approaches. This shift is helping to drive better outcomes for victims and ensuring investigations are more consistent, robust and grounded in the best available practice. 

These focuses are also reflected in outcome rates, with Wiltshire’s Further Action Taken rate for rape and serious sexual assaults rising to 10.6% year ending September 2025 - a 2.5% increase compared with the same period in the previous year, showing more cases now progressing towards charges or formal action. The Force also has a 76% conviction rate for adult rape and serious sexual offences in 2025.

Alongside these internal developments, Wiltshire Police is actively disrupting predatory behaviour and targeting offenders through initiatives such as Project Vigilant, which deploys specialist officers into the night-time economy to identify individuals displaying concerning patterns of behaviour before harm occurs.  

DCC Cooper said: “Our officers and staff remain absolutely focussed on bringing offenders to justice and we continue to work closely with partner organisations and the Police and Crime Commissioner to better understand and robustly address the underlying causes of criminality in our communities. 

“The latest statistics reflect the great strides that Wiltshire Police have made to increase public engagement and improve trust in reporting offences.

“We continue to engage closely with the residents we serve, to listen to concerns raised and help shape the service that reflects their needs.”

The OPCC’s Victims and Witnesses Hub continues to provide dedicated emotional and practical support, while local Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and specialist services offer confidential guidance, crisis care and long-term support.

For more information, please visit the hub. You can read the full ONS report here. 

Published Friday 30 January 2025