WALES NABS 383 SEX PESTS IN YEAR
HUNDREDS of flashers and peeping toms were caught in Wales in just a year, latest figures show. According to Home Office statistics, there were a total of 383 cases of exposure and voyeurism in the 12 months to the end of September 2016.
The highest number of such offences – 71 – was in Cardiff, which is one offence for every 5,030 people.
But Juliet Grayson, chairman of charity StopSo, which provides treatment to sex offenders, said she feared the police were not told about “a lot” of cases of voyeurism and exposure.
“Most of the time offenders never get reported,” she said.
“People, once they have been caught, say they had been doing it for a long time because most people do not report it.”
The UK town with the most voyeurs and exhibitionists was Swindon, where there were 94 cases.
That was up from 40 the year before.
“Usually offenders have seen something when they are younger and are not aware of the connection between that and their offending,” Juliet said.
Recently StopSo conducted an online questionnaire for sex offenders, including flashers and peeping toms.
“We asked at what age did they first have troubling thoughts or behaviour,” Juliet said.
“A total of 11% knew they had a problem with sexual thoughts or behaviour by the time they were 10.
“A further 40% knew between 11 and 16 they had a sexual problem. A further 21% knew between the ages of 17 and 25.
“If we can get to people early on it is much easier to stop them and help change their behaviour.”
She said offenders often suffered from repetition compulsion – a psychological phenomenon where a person keeps repeating a traumatic event or its circumstances.
The maximum sentence for both crimes is two years in prison.
South Wales Police said both offences were “treated seriously and fully investigated when reported to police”.
“We encourage anyone who witnesses such behaviour or who may have information to call South Wales Police on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111,” a spokesman said.