Scotland Yard is failing to keep pace with a surge in the number of reports of domestic violence offences in London, a report warned today.
Although figures show a six per cent rise in cases of domestic abuse last year, the proportion of people being charged with offences has fallen.
The study by the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee blames extra pressure on police for the widening gap between the number of recorded cases and prosecutions.
There were more than 150,000 domestic abuse incidents and over 17,000 sexual offences, including nearly 6,000 rapes, in the capital in the 12 months to September.
In the same period only 28 per cent of domestic offences resulted in a charge, caution or other outcome, as against 41 per cent of the total four years earlier.
The committee found that prosecution rates against perpetrators of sexual violence were rising but the figures remained low. In the year to September, 16 per cent of sexual offences resulted in action, compared to just 10 per cent in 2012.
The study found that the number of reports of domestic abuse and sexual violence had risen by 11 per cent year on year in the past four years. Cases of domestic violence had soared by 57 per cent over the same period.
The committee said the rise in the number of reports of rape and sexual assault was expected to continue.
Steve O’Connell, the Tory chairman of the Police and Crime Committee, said: “While the rise in reporting should be seen as a success — as more victims gain confidence to come forward — there is a risk that this confidence will be lost if the resources available do not meet demand. Complainant confidence in the police, which is hard won, will be undermined.”
MORE ABOUT