CHIEF Constable Lisa Winward has praised the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for speaking out about a historic sexual assault.

Julia Mulligan said on Friday she was raped at the age of 15, and she had used her experience to help support victims in her role as PFCC.

Chief Constable Winward said: "It takes courage for someone to speak out about an incident of sexual abuse or rape, as Julia has done today. She has our absolute support, on a personal level as a colleague, and at an organisational level as a police service.

"My message today to anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime, whether it happened recently or in the past, is that the police are here to help. If you come forward and report the incident, we will provide you with support, investigate the crime, and do everything within our power to bring the offender to justice."

Mrs Mulligan had decided not to make a criminal complaint about the matter, and Chief Constable Winward said this was the case with many victims, but should not stop people speaking out.

She said: "These matters are extremely personal, so our approach is very much a victim-centred one. In this case, the incident has been logged, but the Commissioner has been clear that she does not want to make an official report to the police, and does not want the matter investigated at this time. That is her personal choice, and we respect it completely."

"If you have been victim of a sexual crime and you don’t want to report it to the police, I would still urge you to seek professional support. You do not have to deal with it alone."

* If you have been a victim of sexual assault, contact Supporting Victims on 01609 643100 or supportingvictims.org, or Bridge House, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre, on 0330 2230362 or bridgehousesarc.org