The number of sex offences reported has jumped by nearly three-quarters in 12 months to hit a 13 year high.

There were 5,185 sexual offences reported to the West Yorkshire police force in the year to September 2015, up 72% from 3,023 in the previous year.

This is the highest number of crimes reported in a year since records began in 2003.

Kirklees figures have yet to be released but it was part of a trend for sexual offences in England and Wales, which nationally rose 36% for the year ending September 2015, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found.

This is compared with the previous year.

Nationally, 33,431 rapes (39% year rise) and 66,178 other sexual offences (35% rise) were recorded, both at the highest level since the NCRS was introduced in year ending March 2003.

Sexual offences against children contributed 44% to the total increase in sexual offences recorded.

The ONS said the rises may be due to both an improvement in recording by the police and an increase in the willingness of victims to come forward and report these crimes to the police.

This was supported by Supt Paul Jeffrey from the Kirklees District Policing Team.

Superintendent Paul Jeffrey.

He said: “In West Yorkshire we have seen a rise in the number of sexual offences being reported and this is largely due to increased confidence from victims.

“The recent publicity around high profile cases has undoubtedly also encouraged victims of similar offences to come forward.

“A change in recording practices, which focuses on victims and records crimes at the earliest opportunity, has also contributed to the increase in reported crimes.

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“There is no longer a requirement to prove a crime has been committed for a crime to be recorded.

“If a person reports a crime it is assumed that the crime has taken place and is recorded unless there is credible evidence to prove that the crime has not taken place or it is a third party report where a victim has not been located or has refused to confirm that the alleged crime has taken place.

“West Yorkshire Police adopts a victim led approach to make sure that the victims of these dreadful crimes are fully supported.

We will always investigate reports of sexual offences and do all we can to see offenders brought to justice.”