FOI 425968
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 425968
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 7th August 2025. Please find below the response to your request:
Please answer the following questions:
- How many reports have been made to your police force of sexual assault which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
- How many reports have been made to your police force of rape which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
- How many reports have been made to your police force of voyeurism (all forms of covert surveillance whether using a recording device or in person) which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have taken place in a mixed sex, open plan village style changing area?
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have taken place in a single-sex changing room?
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have been committed by a male?
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have been committed by a male member of staff?
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have involved a female victim?
- Does your force record the sex of offenders as biological sex or as gender identity?
*Leisure centres and swimming pools, with addresses, to facilitate this request:
Hereford Leisure Pool, St Martin's Ave, Hereford HR2 7RQ Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Bilford Rd, Worcester WR3 8DX Wyre Forest Leisure Centre, Silverwoods Way, Kidderminster DY11 7DT Ludlow Leisure Centre, Bromfield Rd, Ludlow SY8 1DR Bridgnorth Endowed Leisure Centre, Northgate, Bridgnorth WV16 4ER Abbey Stadium Sports Centre, Birmingham Rd, Redditch B97 6EJ Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne Rd, Shrewsbury SY1 4RQ Oakengates leisure centre, New Rd, Wrockwardine Wood, Telford TF2 7AB Oswestry Leisure Centre, Shrewsbury Rd, Oswestry SY11 4QB Whitchurch Swimming Centre, Sydnall St, Whitchurch SY13 1QW
Reply
West Mercia Police hold some of the information requested.
- How many reports have been made to your police force of sexual assault which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
2
- How many reports have been made to your police force of rape which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
Nil
- How many reports have been made to your police force of voyeurism (all forms of covert surveillance whether using a recording device or in person) which are alleged to have taken place in leisure centres and swimming pools* between 1 January 2023 and 31st December 2023?
11
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have taken place in a mixed sex, open plan village style changing area?
No information held. This is not recorded within the summary detail of the report.
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have taken place in a single-sex changing room?
No information held. This is not recorded within the summary detail of the report.
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have been committed by a male?
10
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have been committed by a male member of staff?
No information held. This is not recorded within the summary detail of the report.
- How many of the above points 1, 2 & 3 were reported to have involved a female victim?
10
- Does your force record the sex of offenders as biological sex or as gender identity?
Both biological sex and gender identity would be recorded once a suspect has been arrested or interviewed, unless the information is available at the time.