Police Fail to Prosecute Thousands of Indecent Exposure Offenders

Strategic Insights -

A Telegraph investigation has uncovered a shocking trend where thousands of potential sex offenders accused of indecent exposure are avoiding prosecution, despite a pledge by police to crackdown on the issue following the rape and murder of Sarah Everard. Data shows that the proportion of indecent exposure cases resulting in a charge has halved since 2014/15, from one in five to just one in ten, despite the number of reported crimes increasing by 160% in the same period.

This alarming trend has been compounded by a report finding that the serving Metropolitan Police officer, Wayne Couzens, who murdered Ms Everard, could have been stopped before her death if police had carried out a more thorough and committed inquiry into reports of his alleged indecent exposure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The proportion of indecent exposure cases resulting in a charge has halved since 2014/15 from one in five to just one in ten (10.2%).
  • The number of reported indecent exposure crimes has increased by 160% from 6,000 to 16,000 in the same period.
  • Ministers, police, judges, and women's groups all agree that indecent exposure is a precursor crime that can escalate into more serious "contact" sexual offenses including rape.
  • Even when offenders are prosecuted, official data show perpetrators of indecent exposure are getting more lenient sentences, with the proportion of offenders convicted and jailed for more than six months falling from 60.9% in 2019 to 39% in 2024.
  • 40,000 police officers have completed national training on "non-contact" sexual offenses recommended by Lady Elish Angiolini.
  • The police claim that 46% of indecent exposure investigations are not proceeded with because of "evidential difficulties," often because the victim does not support a prosecution.

Statistics:

  • 10.2% of indecent exposure cases resulted in a charge in 2014/15, compared to 10% in 2024.
  • 6,000 reported indecent exposure crimes in 2014/15 increased to 16,000 in the same period.
  • 160% increase in reported indecent exposure crimes between 2014/15 and the same period.
  • 60.9% of offenders convicted of indecent exposure were jailed for more than six months in 2019, compared to 39% in 2024.
  • 40,000 police officers have completed national training on "non-contact" sexual offenses.

Sources:

  • The Telegraph investigation
  • Government-commissioned report
  • Lady Elish Angiolini's official report
  • College of Policing
  • Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding
  • Zoe Billingham, former HM inspector of police
  • Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister
  • Kieran Mullan, shadow justice minister