Large increase in sexual offences and muggings

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd with police officers

Statistics released by the Home Office show that sexual offences have gone up by 15% and thefts from people in public (muggings) have increased by 17% in Greater Manchester (between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013).

It is understood the increase in muggings is fuelled by mobile phone theft, with more than 5,000 phones stolen in the past year totalling a value of more than £1.9m.

Statements released by Greater Manchester Police and Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, suggest the large rise in sexual offences is due to more victims reporting such crimes rather than an increase in sexual offences, however, neither provide empirical evidence to back up this speculation.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "These figures demonstrate that victims of sexual offences are continuing to have more confidence in coming to the police, which is a positive thing.

"It is clear that these figures say more about how better equipped GMP is in supporting victims through the investigative process."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Tony Lloyd said: "The increase in sexual offences suggests that the horrific cases of sexual abuse involving Jimmy Saville and other high-profile individuals has encouraged more victims to come forward to report abuse."