THERE has been a 45% hike in reported sexual offences over the past year in Taunton, Wellington and Minehead

Officers say that this is due to more sex attack victims coming forward because of the ‘Jimmy Savile effect’, police believe.

Officers say rising confidence that cases will be investigated thoroughly and sympathetically is responsible for a 45 per cent hike in reported sexual offences over the past year.

A charity supporting victims of offences ranging from rape to inappropriate touching reckons the increase in recorded cases is mirrored nationwide – although they warn most crimes go unreported.

They agree with police that it follows publicity surrounding the Yew Tree investigations in the wake of the Savile scandal after it emerged the disgraced DJ abused hundreds of victims over decades.

Insp Bob Muckett said there were 157 sexual offences in Taunton Deane and West Somerset over the past 12 months, up from 108 over the previous year.

He added: “We attribute that to people’s increased confidence in reporting attacks.

“There’s got to be some link to the Yew Tree investigation.”

The number of historic cases of crimes committed several years ago coming to the attention of police is on the increase.

Katie Russell, spokeswoman for RapeCrisis, which supports survivors of sexual offences, said forces nationwide have improved how they record sexual offences.

She added: “We agree that the increase in reported sexual crimes across the country is likely to be a result of survivors of sex crimes having more confidence to come forward and report these crimes rather than an increase in sexual offences.”

Government figures from 2013 suggested only 20% of sexual offences are reported.

“The ones we know about are only the tip of the iceberg. While things have improved, we still have some way to go,” said Ms Russell.

Other Taunton Deane and West Somerset crime figures over the past 12 months show: *5,538 crimes overall, down from 5,976; *163 home burglaries, down from 199; *235 thefts from vehicles (490); *1,529 violence against the person (1,314); *149 bicycle thefts (216); *813 shoplifting (923).

Insp Muckett said bike thefts dropped due to proactive initiatives, including decoy bikes, while the decrease in shoplifting was down to partnership working, CCTV and wardens patrolling Taunton at Christmas.

He highlighted partnership efforts that helped close Hush legal high shop in Taunton for six months, with the town praised by the Government for its efforts in tackling anti-social behaviour connected to the use of the drugs.

“The message is this isn’t an unsafe area, but we’re not resting on our laurels and we’re keen to thoroughly investigate anything that victims or third parties bring to our attention,” said Insp Muckett.

*Victims of sex crimes should contact the police or www.rapecrisis.org.uk