SEXUAL offences fuelled by alcohol are worse in Northampton than most areas of the country, figures show.
The Local Alcohol Profile for England shows there were 43 sex crimes in the town in 12 months where either the victim or the alleged criminal were drunk.
Along with Corby, Northampton was rated as significantly worse than the national average.
Northamptonshire Police said yesterday it would analyse its own data, but emphasised that the offences were likely to have taken place during nights out rather than rapes by strangers, which were “very, very low”.
Patterns of alcohol-fuelled sex offences suggest they are more likely to happen at times when people have more money, such as pay days, and are therefore more likely to go out.
Christmas has been recognised as a peak time in the past, but officers have also noticed a spike during summer months in recent years.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Lingley said: said: “Alcohol plays a part in many crimes, like fighting and domestic abuse because it makes people more vulnerable,
“But we can infer patterns. Nicer evenings mean people tend to stay out longer and drink more. We are working to get the message out to people and licensees about how to make themselves safer.”