The number of rapes reported to police in North Ayrshire fell slightly in the final three months of last year, councillors have been told.

But a major increase has been reported in sexual assaults.

A meeting of North Ayrshire's Police and Fire and Rescue Committee heard there were 45 rapes committed in the area during the period - one less than the previous three months.

However, the figures remained above the five-year average. Twenty of the rapes were non-recent crimes, according to the report, of which 13 were domestic-related.

The committee heard that in November 2023, excellent locality policing led to the identification of a male who was responsible for the rape of a stranger in the Saltcoats area.

The male was previously not known to police, and the report says that conditions now in place mean he can be "robustly policed" to prevent further offending.

Sexual assaults saw a marked increase on both last year and the five-year average. Of the 75 reported crimes, 27 were non-recent and at least 10 were domestic related. 

There were a number of multiple reports where one victim contacted police over a number of crimes against the same individual. This included 10 crimes involving the same victim and offender and another where nine crimes had been reported by one victim against the same offender.

Domestic abuse incidents reported to police within North Ayrshire from October to December last year totalled 429 – a drop from 465 from the previous three months.

However, the latest figures are significantly higher than the same period during 2022, when 371 incidents were reported to police.

Under the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland, the number of referrals decreased year-on-year, with 30 referrals submitted during the period, in comparison to 39 during the same period in 2022.

This has increased from the previous year when 19 applications were made to the scheme.

During this reporting period, 53 victims were referred to the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) and risk-focused safety plans were implemented. 

The number of MARAC cases during this period has significantly increased from the previous year - whihch stood at 24 - however this was explained by a greater awareness of this process.

The Domestic Abuse Investigation Unit and the Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Team said they continued to work closely with partners to support victims.

To enhance this work a pilot scheme is due to start within North Ayrshire, whereby Domestic Abuse champions will work closely with Women’s Aid. 

Specially trained Sexual Offences Liaison Officers ensure all investigative processes are completed to the highest standard and well being of victims, witnesses and staff.