Increase in historic rape offences

Latest figures discussed

- CATHERINE HUNTER

Historic rape offences in West Dunbartonshire made up around 50 per cent of assaults of this nature in the last year, according to a fresh report from Police Scotland.

A document presented to members of the housing and communities committee on Wednesday highlighted that by the end of 2024/25 the number of sexual crimes increased by 19.8 per cent from 222 at the end of 2023/24 to 266.

Police Scotland say this is largely due to the rise in rape offences from 46 to 65 while sexual assaults have also risen from 77 to 94 year on year.

The report also states that approximately 55 per cent of rape crimes during this reporting period relate to "non-recent reports", which is consistent with the position during the previous year to date.