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Recorded rapes in capital rise by a quarter to highest level in years
Justin Davenport, Crime Editor26 Nov 2009
The number of rapes recorded by police in London is at its highest level for several years, figures revealed today.
There were 277 rapes recorded in the capital in October, almost 70 per cent up on the 164 recorded in the same month last year.
Scotland Yard chief Sir Paul Stephenson said he was concerned that the number of sex attacks had risen by almost a quarter in a year. He added it was not clear if a surge in offences or an increase in the confidence of victims to go to police was behind the figures.
Speaking at City Hall today, Met Commissioner Sir Paul said the high public profile of the “heinous” crime may have encouraged victims to report attacks.
Analysis of the police figures show dramatic rises in certain boroughs. For instance, in the last seven months the number of rapes in Waltham Forest rose from 24 last year to 60 this year. There were also big increases in several other outlying boroughs such as Harrow, up from 38 to 65; Enfield, a jump of 54 to 87; and Bromley, from 18 to 44.
Sir Paul added: “Recorded rape is at its highest level for many years. For the year to September we have seen a significant rise, 24 per cent.
“The rise, we think, is partly due to the increased number of victims coming forward. There has been significant media attention on the issue, high-profile trials. I guess they are all contributing towards raising public awareness.”
“These are heinous offences and we have to understand whether it is down to increased reporting, and maybe, an increased problem.”
Recently senior Scotland Yard officers said they were alarmed about a rising number of gang rapes. Figures revealed there were 93 in London in 2008/2009, compared to 71 in 2003/2004.
A report published yesterday said some police treated rape claims with scepticism when victims had been drinking or were from “poor areas”.
Reader views (4)
I dont know whether this is good or bad? Unless people suddenly have much more faith in reporting we could be looking at a real increase. The figures only provide a snapshot either way because crimes such as rape are seldom reported
- Jj, London, 27/11/2009 10:21
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I have no doubt that this results from people having more faith in the fact that the police will believe them and also the use of rape Havens, which are an absolute God sent. Somehow I doubt that it can be laid at the feet of immigrants.
- Garry, london, 26/11/2009 17:42
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it would be interesting to see how many rapes were comitted by foreign nationals?
- Lance Johnson, Canterbury, Kent, 26/11/2009 16:08
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Hopefully then we will see this represented proportionally to the number of arrests and convictions.
- S-M Hearmon, London, UK, 26/11/2009 14:47
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