Cumbria Police has reported a fall in violence against women and girls as new national report describes it reaching "epidemic levels" across England and Wales.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) has reached "epidemic levels" with a 37 per cent increase nationally between 2018 and 2023, according to the report from the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing.

But, there are positive signs in Cumbria as VAWG crimes dropped by 16.9 per cent in the last 12 months. Additionally, the criminal justice conviction rate in the county is 80 per cent.

Hope Vallely, operations manager at The Freedom Project, said: "I think it is definitely a positive sign.

"Not everybody does report and I don't think that is going to change straightaway, but hopefully it's going in the right direction, where more and more people will see that there is the help out there, they are being taken seriously and things will be done."

The report found that at least one in 12 women will be victims of VAWG every year, although the exact figure is expected to be higher, and 3,000 offences are reported each day. 

Five critical threats to women and girls have been outlined which are rape and serious sexual offences, domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, child sexual abuse and exploitation, and online and tech-enabled VAWG. 

David Allen, police, fire and crime commissioner, said: “Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and everyone should be safe and feel safe, no matter where they are. This report shows that this isn’t always the case.

“We understand that women and girls are more likely to experience violence in day-to-day life, which is why we are working hard, across the county, as well as in Barrow, to address the issue."

Initiatives in Cumbria to tackle this include Safer Streets welfare hubs in Carlisle and Windermere, Operation Vigilant which sees proactive police patrols around pubs and clubs, and tackling anti-social behaviour in hot-spot areas.

Cumbria Police works with local domestic violence charities, such as The Freedom Project, where women can speak to officers regarding their concerns and they also signpost women to support services. 

Mr Allen said: “We also know that the type of incidents and issues around VAWG remain under-reported, so I would like to use this opportunity to encourage victims and witnesses to report incidents to the Police.

"Please know that you will be listened to, you will be offered support and any crimes will be investigated sensitively by dedicated specialist officers."

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