THE nationwide football abuse scandal has prompted men in West Dunbartonshire to come forward to police about their own experiences, West Dunbartonshire Council has heard.

Addressing the council's community planning meeting, Chief Superintendent Grant Manders explained while there had been no reports of football-related abuse in the area, the publicity surrounding the incidents had encouraged victims to come forward.

Chief Supt Manders said: "We've had a lot of man come forward who had been abused that have seen the publicity so in a way that's a good thing – not that they were treated that way but they the publicity has helped them to come forward.

"We take it as far as we possibly can but it's very hard to detect."

The divisional commander was discussing the scandal in relation to the staggering rise in sexual crimes throughout West Dunbartonshire.

As previously reported in the Reporter, the number of sex crimes in the area increased from 43 to 41 during the period of July to September 2016 – a 88.4 per cent rise on the same period last year.

It says: “Year on year the total number of sexual crimes reported across West Dunbartonshire has increased from 43 to 81.

“While this represents an 88.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2015/16, when compared against the five-year average crimes show an increase of 36.8 per cent.

“Furthermore, it is notable that the total number of crimes recorded in 2015/16 is the lowest figure since 2011/12.”

Local politicians and activists described the findings as "deeply troubling" and "extremely worrying".

Lynda Hannah McEwan, a spokesperson for West Dunbartonshire Reclaim the Night, an organisation dedicated to keeping the streets safe for women, told the Reporter last week: “It’s alarming to hear that sexual crimes in West Dunbartonshire have risen by a shocking 88.4 per cent but this is reflective of Scotland as a whole.

“The year 2015/2016 saw 10,273 reported sex offences, a 53 per cent per cent rise from 2006/07.

“Despite this rise women still struggle to have their voices heard in the judicial system and society still points the finger of blame in their direction, asking if they were drunk or if what they were wearing invited the attack.

“Recent high profile cases like the Ched Evans case where the jury was allowed to consider the victim’s sexual history have impacted on attitudes towards women and make it more difficult for women to report sexual violence so the figures, while very disturbing, could be just the tip of the iceberg.

“We also live in a world where a man with a history of derogatory views on women can win the highest position in the most powerful country.

“This sends a message that women can be treated abhorrently with little consequence.”

However, Chief Supt Manders explained much of the recorded incidents – approximately 45 per cent - were historical crimes which victims had been brave enough to bring to police attention years later.

The number of recorded rapes had also increased but was said to be not too far from last year's figure and the police officer predicated the period three figures - from October to December 2016 - would be likely to balance out the stark overall increase meaning year end figures will be around average.

The rate of violent crime in the area, however, was described as "actually pretty rosy" as figures present a continued decrease in the number of incidents.

Throughout Police Scotland violent crime is up by five per cent, whereas in West Dunbartonshire it has dropped by 21 per cent.

Chief Supt Manders said: "We've continued on a good downward spiral in terms of all violent crime. Clearly though there are some challenges in certain areas.

"West Dunbartonshire is down by about 21 per cent so actually we're very, very different (from the national figures) - clearly all related to me as the local police command.

"Actually, we've not changed anything. We have no idea why these figures have come down. Let's just take it while we've got it."