A third of all sexual offences against over 18s in Elmbridge took place in two Walton wards and Weybridge North in the past five years.

The number of sexual offences taking place across the borough has also increased in the past five years.

A Freedom of Information request to Surrey Police revealed 176 sexual offences, with victims aged 18 and over, took place across Elmbridge between January 2008 and December 2012.

Of the offences, 39.7 per cent were sexual assaults and 60.3 per cent other sexual offences, which can include rape, exposure and voyeurism.

The Walton North and Weybridge North wards had the highest numbers of sexual offences, with 18 in five years, each 10.2 per cent of the total number of sex offences, making up nearly a quarter of all sex offences within the borough in the five year period.

Walton Central also had one of the higher numbers, with 17 sexual offences in five years.

Christine Cross, ward councillor for Walton North, said: “The problem is, the boundary lines the police use and the county council use are not the same.

“Any crime of that nature is a worry and a concern and hopefully the police are dealing with it adequately and appropriately.

“I was not aware of those figures and do find them alarming and concerning and I would have liked to have seen a zero figure.”

Surrey Police were unable to provide the Elmbridge Guardian with the nature of each sexual offence due to possible identification of victims.

The number of sexual offences across the borough peaked in 2009 at 41 before dropping to 32 in 2010 and rising back to 37 in 2012.

Sexual assaults also peaked in 2009, with 20.

No wards within the borough were without sexual offences over the five year period, but some boroughs had very low numbers.

Oxshott and Stoke d’Abernon had just one sexual offence in five years, while Weston Green, Hersham North and Hersham South had three.

Councillor John Sheldon, for Hersham South, said: “The nation has naturally been shocked by the spate of sexual offences reported in the press, making many of us wonder how widespread these practices are.

“The figures released by the police of sexual offences in Elmbridge go some way to allay anxiety, particularly for the Hersham wards which my wife and I separately represent, where only three offences were recorded in the past five years.

“However, we should remember that domestic abuse of all kinds, that may include the sexual, still goes on at a worrying level.

“All of the agencies dealing with social problems are aware of this, countering it as part of their working agenda as best they may.”

Of the victims of the sexual offences over the five year period, 93.18 per cent were female.

Women aged between 18 and 29 accounted for more than one third of victims at 38.63 per cent, with women aged 30 to 39 shortly behind at 31.25 per cent.

The age and gender brackets with the fewest sexual offences against them were males aged between 40 to 49, 50 to 59 and 60 plus.

David Hollingsworth, Elmbridge Neighbourhood Inspector, said: “Sexual assaults account for just under 40 per cent of the 176 sexual offences committed in Elmbridge in the past five years, with this figure falling to below 30 per cent in the past two years.

“Sexual assaults committed by strangers are extremely rare, with the vast majority being carried out by people who are known to the victim.

“This together with the consistent fall in overall crime in the borough during the same period would support Elmbridge being a safe place within which to live and work.

“We are committed to the relentless pursuit of criminals and to keeping people safe within the borough and county.

“Surrey Police treat all allegations of sexual assault very seriously and in recent years the force has invested significantly in ensuring appropriately trained officers and staff are able to investigate offences thoroughly and support victims who have often been through traumatic experiences.

“If you have been a victim of a sexual offence we would urge you to report it via the non emergency number 101 or in an emergency 999.”

Sexual offences (inc. sexual assaults) with victims aged 18 and over from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2012 - separated by ward:

Claygate: 5
Cobham Fairmile: 6
Cobham and Downside: 12
Esher: 5
Hersham North: 3
Hersham South: 3
Hinchley Wood: 5
Long Ditton: 4
Molesey East: 7
Molesey North: 7
Molesey South: 10
Oatlands Park: 4
Oxshott and Stoke D’abernon: 1
St George’s Hill: 9
Thames Ditton: 4
Walton Ambleside: 7
Walton Central: 17
Walton North: 18
Walton South: 8
Weston Green: 3
Weybridge North: 18
Weybridge South: 8
(Ward not recorded: 12)