1000 South Ayrshire sex crimes since 2012
Almost 1000 sex crimes have been committed across South Ayrshire since 2012.
And Prestwick saw the most arrests for sex crimes – including rape and sexual assault – with a shocking 74 arrests in 2014 alone.
There were more than 100 arrests in Ayr East and Ayr North between 2012 and 2015, while police recorded 90 sex crimes in Troon, 75 in Maybole, North Carrick and Coylton and 49 in Girvan and South Carrick.
Detective Chief Inspector John Hogg said: “Tackling sexual crime in South Ayrshire, and across the division, is a key priority for Police Scotland. We have dedicated teams of specialist officers based in our Public Protection Unit who work every day to identify offenders.
“During investigations we also proactively look to identify any other potential victims who the offender may have had contact with as this can identify a more significant history of offending.
“There is no doubt that for victims of sexual offences, it is not easy to come forward and report it to the police, however it is important that victims are aware of how important it is that they do so.
“Offenders who commit sexual offences often have a history of offending which can often continue until they are stopped.”
Police said the Prestwick figures were down to one offender, who ensnared young victims online, and moved to reassure the community that the beast had been captured.
DCI Hogg said: “There was a significant rise in the number of sexual offences recorded in the Prestwick area in 2014, however I would like to reassure the local community that most of the recorded offences during this period relate to one single case involving one offender who was targeting young people online.
“During this enquiry of f i c e r s p ro ac t i v e l y looked into his offending, identifying a significant number of online victims, resulting in his arrest, a guilty plea at court and a significant custodial sentence.”
A spokesman for Victim Support Scotland said the figures highlight barely scratch the surface of the impact these crimes have on victims.
He said: “The impact of sexual crime can be hugely devastating for individual victims, as well as their families and the wider community.
“Victims may also have suffered physical injuries and long lasting psychological harm as a result.”
Gwen Davey, manager of abuse support charity Moving On Ayrshire, said: “I’m sure there’s loads of hidden stuff behind those figures.
“Lots of it is happening in families and people, for all sorts of reasons, are scared to report or tell people.
“We have something like 120 referrals a year, men and women coming to our service – 25 per cent are men, which might seem high.
“Going straight to the police might be really difficult for somebody without having thought what the consequences might be.
“Obviously we want as many perpetrators caught as we can, we want this stopped.”