Behind jump in sexual assault reports

murder in a domestic setting increases significantly when sexual assault is present in the same context.

However, Detective Superintendent Johnson said it was “dangerous” to look at the increase in isolation.

“Looking at these figures nothing is jumping out about consistent places or cases,” he said.

“Sometimes complaints are withdrawn or sometimes there is a bar for legal prosecution and it can take some time for the figures to readjust.”

Despite allegations of police previously fudging figures, the top cop said he was confident in the accuracy of the current data.

“We have gone back and checked those figures,” he said.

“Am I confident the current figures are right? Yes.”

Meanwhile, property offences have fallen by 11 per cent in the same period. There has also been a 19 per cent decrease in drug offences in the 12 months to October and a six per cent decrease in breaches of protection orders.

Drink driving is also down by 4 per cent.