Justice system scrutiny needed over alarming sex offender caution figures - The Yorkshire Post says

Data from Freedom of Information requests to the region’s four forces highlighted more than 70 occasions where people who admitted guilt in sexual offence investigations were let off with a warning.

Despite a Detective Chief Inspector with West Yorkshire Police claiming sexual abuse crimes were taken “very seriously”, the figures are unlikely to reassure the public that such individuals are being handed a punishment befitting of their offence, particularly when the data is set in the context that sexual violence in Yorkshire and the Humber is higher than the national average.

Nor are the figures likely to offer much in the way of comfort to victims of sexual crime. Indeed, York charity Survive, which supports people who have experienced rape and sexual assault, described the cautions as a symptom of a justice system “stacked against survivors”.

There is, perhaps, no greater time than now for that system to be scrutinised, especially in light of Home Secretary Priti Patel’s claim yesterday that she is prepared to give policing agencies “even tougher powers to keep this country safe” after the UK left the EU.

The Government’s announcement last year of a victim support package, providing £10m to rape and domestic abuse support centres and Police and Crime Commissioners to fund services, is a welcome step.

Victims must feel safe and supported – and justice must rightfully be served.

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