Reports of stalking, harassment and sexual offences have increased across Wiltshire.
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, stalking and harassment offences rose to 4,126 in the year ending March 2025 – up from 3,822 the previous year, marking an 8% increase. Reported sexual offences climbed 10%, from 1,926 to 2,116.
Wiltshire Police say the rise could reflect both improvements in crime recording and greater public confidence in reporting such offences.
The force has introduced internal training to help officers better distinguish between stalking and harassment, aiming to enhance the accuracy of crime classification and improve support for victims.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said that while any increase in stalking, harassment, or sexual offences is concerning, the increased numbers could reflect improved awareness, better recording practices, and growing confidence in the support systems available.
“We’ve worked hard to build trust in our services, whether that’s through training frontline officers and staff, funding specialist support roles, or improving access to services. The fact that more individuals are coming forward may indicate that those efforts are beginning to resonate,” he continued.
“It’s also worth noting that changes in how stalking is recorded – ensuring it’s correctly identified rather than grouped under harassment – mean victims are receiving more accurate recognition and tailored support.
“That’s a crucial step in making sure people feel heard and protected.”
He added: “Behind every statistic is a person who has made the difficult decision to speak out. We still have work to do, but these figures help us understand where progress is being made and where further improvements are needed.”
This view was echoed by Wiltshire Police’s Detective Chief Inspector Claire Smith, who said the force had been working hard to develop its understanding of stalking, harassment and sexual offences, with the aim of ensuring they are correctly identified at the earliest opportunity and robustly investigated.
“We know that such crimes are significantly under-reported, we have made great strides to improve public understanding and to develop greater trust and confidence of the public in reporting such offences,” she said.
“We hope that these latest figures reflect, in part, the greater willingness of victims to engage with us.”
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) says it continues to fund specialist support services, including Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, Independent Domestic Violence Advisors, a Stalking ISVA, and the Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
For more information on local victim support services, visit the PCC’s Victim and Witness Hub.
