82 percent rise in reported sex crimes in West Dunbartonshire labelled 'incredibly worrying'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The number of sex crimes recorded in West Dunbartonshire has increased by 82 percent over the last decade.Shocking figures published last week have shown the rise from 116 incidents to 211, with police saying that the increased number is partly down to increased victim confidence in reporting sexual crimes – with many of the cases covering historical abuse.In Argyll and Bute, which includes Helensburgh and Cardross, sex crimes increased from 131 to 217 (a rise of 66 percent) – with reports of rape and attempted rape rising by 200 percent (from 15 to 45) over that period.Reports of serious assaults and attempted murder in West Dunbartonshire have also increased by a quarter over the last decade - spiking from 59 to 74.The number of cases of fraud has risen significantly too, with a 150 percent rise in Argyll and Bute (from 70 to 175) and an increase of 86 percent in West Dunbartonshire (135 to 251).Hitting out at the statistics, Labour MSP for Dumbarton Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP government must urgently investigate what has led to this significant rise in sexual crime in our local communities.

The figures which have been released are incredibly worrying.“Behind each of these statistics is a victim who has suffered as a result and they deserve to see action being taken to prevent more people going through the same ordeal that they have.“Sex crimes have soared over the last decade and not nearly enough progress has been made in trying to prevent these from happening in the first place.“The SNP-Green government must leave no stone unturned when keeping Scots safe and ensuring our justice system can both prevent and prosecute these abhorrent crimes.”Responding, Chief Superintendent Lynn Ratcliff, Divisional Commander for