Increase in offences ‘very alarming’

BARNARDOS chief executive Fergus Finlay said he was shocked by the “very alarming increase” in certain offences and the “significant gap” between offences and prosecutions.

He said the figures highlighted the “vulnerability of children” and the urgent need for greater political priority for children.

“There’s a very alarming increase in some headings and a very alarming gap between recorded offences and convictions, particularly in relation to sexual crime.