Women’s safety: Sex crime rates rising as average of 25 rapes reported a day in London

“There is an epidemic of violence against women at the hands of men. The police aren’t keeping us safe, and the courts aren’t keeping us safe.”
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A womens’ rights campaigner has described the number of rapes reported to police in London hitting a record high as “an epidemic of violence”.

The number of rapes reported to police in the 12 months to June 2022 was 9,274, according to crime data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

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Activist Jamie Klingler, who co-founded Reclaim These Streets, said: “It’s almost too awful of a statistic to even comment on.”

The Met said tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) was a priority and that all reports were taken “extremely seriously”.

This figure, which works out at an average of 25 rapes per day is also up 13% on the previous year’s figure.

Jamie Klingler. Photo: LondonWorldJamie Klingler. Photo: LondonWorld
Jamie Klingler. Photo: LondonWorld

There were also 7,175 rapes of people aged over 16 over the same period, an increase of 1.037 on the previous year.

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Ms Klingler added: “There is an epidemic of violence against women at the hands of men. The police aren’t keeping us safe, and the courts aren’t keeping us safe.

“I try to always stay optimistic, but there isn’t an upside here.”

DS Nicola Franklin, who leads the force’s response to rape and serious sexual offences said: "Rape is one of the most complex crimes the police investigate, with many evidential challenges for both police and the wider criminal justice system.

“We are absolutely committed to improving our response to rape and sexual assault and getting justice for victim-survivors.

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"Officers acknowledge the profound impact on victims and survivors and are committed to supporting them as best we can through the investigative and trial process.”

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She said the force works closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the NHS, the Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) and City Hall.

The Met also says it is investing £11m in digital forensics, with 24 mobile kiosks set up for officers to download key evidence and improve turnaround times for returning devices.

DS Franklin added: "We will continue to work hard to reach the best outcomes for victims, to build their confidence, and the confidence of the wider public.

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"Our clear message to victims is to reach out to police or other support agencies and seek help. We will respond with sensitivity, and we will work with you to provide the appropriate support, whilst keeping you safe and dealing robustly with the perpetrator."

A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan, mayor of London said: “Rape is a despicable and traumatising crime. The mayor is clear we all need to work together as a society to end the epidemic of violence against women and girls.

“Everyone in our city should be entitled to be safe and to feel safe – whatever time of day and wherever they are in the capital.”

They added: “The mayor has overseen more than £100m in investment in tackling violence against women and girls and is doing all he can to improve services for victims and survivors of these awful acts of violence.

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“Rape is usually hugely underreported, and more victims feeling able to come forward and report their experience is an important step - however, there is still so much more for us to do to support women and girls in London.

“Sadiq is committed to building a safer London for everyone and earlier this year championed a public health approach to preventing and ending violence against women and girls to ensure it is treated with the utmost urgency both by our police, and society as a whole.

“He has also taken action by investing record amounts in police officers to keep our communities safe and the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit is also leading an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in partnership, prevention and early intervention work.”