Chief Constable's Report: Crime down but staffing 'continuing to deteriorate'

Sexual offences up from 34 percent to 62 percent 

Overall reported crime is down five percent, but sexual offences have risen.

That's the verdict of the Isle of Man Chief Constable in Russ Foster's first annual report.

Recorded crime between 2022-2023 was up seven percent, so puts the overall figure this year slightly higher than 2021-2022, however recorded crime has decreased by five percent this year.

The report also boasts a detection rate of 54 percent - up six percent from last year.

That's the ratio between how many crime investigations have been finalised as detected to the total number of crime investigations finalised in a particular period. Crimes that remain Under Investigation are not included in the calculation.

Those are the headline stats, but whilst overall crime might be down we've seen a 16 percent rise in sexual assaults.

Sexual offences - in the broader term, but not including rape - are up from 34 percent to 62 percent 

There has also been an increase in the number of offences reported, but Mr Foster says this was not unexpected. 

With the new sexual offences and domestic abuse legislation being a topic of wider conversation, as well as the introduction of more support for victims and training for officers, it is hoped that victims are having growing confidence in being able to report.

Rape figures are counted separately, and although 15 reported rape allegations were finalised as undetected over the year, the majority, it says, could not be progressed due to a lack of evidence or conflicting accounts.

The chief constable says it's hoped this could be improved and once the new Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) build is complete, that victims of any sexual abuse or assault will feel confident in attending the centre for medical support and to collect and store forensic evidence – without first having to involve the police.

Police pay increased from September 2023 by seven percent in July, and again by a further 4.75 percent this month. So as it stands; new police constables are starting on a pay of £33,691.

Retention, however, is still proving to be a problem. 

The report says: 'Unfortunately the former Chief Constable has been proved right and despite the best efforts of the current Chief Constable to engage officers across the IOMC and outline the benefits of working for the organisation, the staffing situation has continued to deteriorate over the past year. 

'The issue of police officer retention is the greatest challenge facing the IOMC. The Chief Constable has engaged with the DHA in desperation to seek a sustainable resolution in terms of police pay which appears to be a key driver in police officers leaving the IOMC.'

The Chief Constable's Annual Report will be discussed in Tynwald next month.

Mr Foster says: "I am extremely proud to present my very first Chief Constable’s Report which provides an accurate reflection of the productivity of the Isle of Man Constabulary (IOMC) which is extremely impressive and is indicative of the commitment, professionalism and tenacity of the police officers and staff who work for the Constabulary.

"In the previous year we saw an increase of 7% in recorded crime. However, I am pleased to report a 5% reduction in recorded crime for the financial year 2023/24, which is also complemented by a positive outcome rate for victims of crime of 54% which is a 6% increase on the previous year.

"The IOMC has been effective in building relationships with partners through the development and implementation of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub to enhance our collective capability to protect vulnerable people. We have continued to reduce harm by tackling serious violence and anti-social behaviour in our local communities, through early intervention and action. We have been relentless in tackling organised crime groups who exploit our borders and bring illicit drugs on to the Island. We have also seen an emergence of more pernicious organised criminality where people have been subject to human trafficking and modern day slavery. We have launched the Proactive International Money Laundering Investigation Team (PIMLT) who have been working with other law enforcement agencies to disrupt, dismantle and pursue justice against organised crime groups engaged in money laundering and fraud on the Island.

"I continue to thoroughly enjoy undertaking my role as Chief Constable and feel privileged to lead an outstanding workforce - I am so proud of the collective achievements of all the officers and staff who work so incredibly harm to keep everyone safe on the Isle of Man."