SEXUAL offences in Waltham Forest are at their highest point for 14 years because there is more “confidence in police”, say the Met.

Crime figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics revealed a steady rise in sexual offences in the borough since 2003.

In response to the worrying trend, the DCI of Waltham Forest, James Conway, suggested the rise is down to more confidence in police.

He added: “Confidence that victims will be listened to by police, and better recording by officers, has contributed to a significant increase in allegations made to us in recent years.

"Every victim of a sexual offence is a victim too many.

“When they do occur we will work resolutely to catch and prosecute those responsible.”

The latest figure showed there were 495 sexual offences in the 12 months leading up to June, 2016, when at the same point in 2007, there were only 219 recorded.

This reveals a 126 per cent rise in sexual offences recorded over the last nine years.

DCI Conway added: "It is crucial that all allegations of sexual offences are reported to the police to ensure victims can receive specialist support and care, and so we can bring perpetrators to justice.

“We remain committed to continually improving our service to the public in this area.

Do you think sexual offences is rising because there is more confidence in police? Send you thoughts to reporter, Joe Roberts, on joe.roberts@london.newsquest.co.uk.