Only 10.9% of indecent exposure and voyeurism crimes reported in London last year resulted in prosecutions, a startlingly low figure that has raised concerns among MPs. This statistic was revealed during a hearing of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee on non-contact sexual offenses, which include indecent exposure and voyeurism, where police chiefs were questioned about the law enforcement response to such crimes. Met Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe acknowledged that the low prosecution rate was unacceptable. The hearing was prompted by the realization that the killer of Sarah Everard, Wayne Couzens, could have been stopped if previous flashing crimes had been properly addressed. A report into Couzens’ crimes revealed that the police had not adequately pursued a series of previous indecent exposure offenses committed by him, leaving him free to continue his predatory behavior. The police are now prioritizing the pursuit of those committing violence against women, with figures showing a 244% increase in rape reports being received and 11% of emergency calls to police being about domestic abuse victims. Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth of the National Police Chiefs’ Council emphasized that crimes of violence against women and girls have reached epidemic proportions, with one in ten women suffering such crimes during their lifetime. The police recognize the seriousness of the problem and are now approaching it with the same urgency as terrorism, particularly in light of the horrific cases that have highlighted the consequences of police inaction. The hearing also highlighted the Met’s ‘V100’ scheme, which focuses on pursuing the most dangerous predatory men in order to combat violence against women. The Home Affairs Select Committee organized the hearing in response to the increased attention given to crimes such as indecent exposure and voyeurism, particularly after revelations that the murders of Libby Squire and Sarah Everard were committed by men with a history of these offenses. Despite a steady increase in reported incidents, convictions for exposure and voyeurism have dropped significantly in recent years, with only 623 convictions in 2022/23 compared to 811 in 2016/17.
MPs Alarmed as Prosecution Rate for Indecent Exposure and Voyeurism in London Remains Low
