Historical child abuse reports to Welsh police 'increase'

Allegations of non-recent sexual offences recorded against children have risen sharply in the last four years, according to the NSPCC.

Welsh police forces recorded 947 offences in 2016-17, up from 520 in 2013-14, the children's charity said.

The increase may be due to coverage of high-profile cases, it said.

North Wales Police recorded the most over that time with 1,317 cases, while South Wales Police saw 690, Dyfed-Powys had 569 and Gwent Police recorded 58.

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NSPCC Wales head Des Mannion said it was "encouraging that so many are finally finding their voice in a climate today where they know they will be listened to and supported".

He added: "It doesn't matter whether the sexual abuse happened a year ago or 50 years ago, it is never too late to report it."

The NSPCC asked police forces in Wales and England how many sexual offences against under 18s were reported to them more than a year after they allegedly occurred.

Its data, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, showed a total of 60,980 allegations of non-recent sexual offences since 2013, but not all forces provided full information.

Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake, of South Wales Police, said the force was committed to tackling all reports of sexual abuse "regardless of when they occurred".

"The rise in non-recent reports of abuse is often attributed to coverage of high-profile cases involving celebrities and the like, and is something that we welcome as it demonstrates an increase in public confidence that such reports will be taken seriously and fully investigated," he said.

"South Wales Police urges anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse to come forward, safe in the knowledge that they will be treated with respect and dignity by our specialist officers."

Det Chief Insp Andrew Williams, from North Wales Police, said support and advice was available to people who do come forward.

"I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of these terrible crimes to come forward and report what happened to them," he said.

Det Supt Anthony Griffiths, from Dyfed-Powys Police, said the increase was a "positive indication that victims feel they are able to report to Dyfed-Powys Police, knowing they will be listened to and taken seriously".

He added: "Increase in reports in the recent years could also be linked to the research which demonstrates many victims wait until adulthood before telling someone that they have been sexually abused."