THE number of recorded sex crimes in East Lothian rose sharply this year after investigations into historic cases.

Police Scotland said the increase, which saw 111 crimes recorded between April and September – more than double the five-year average of 52 – could be put down to a number of inquiries involving multiple offences.

One case involved convicted paedophile Shaun Borrett, who was found guilty of 12 charges of indecent behaviour, sexual assault and rape over a 24-year period, at the High Court in Edinburgh last week.

Former bus driver Borrett, 42, formerly of Tranent, was convicted of offences involving children as young as five.

A report, which was due to be presented to an East Lothian Council meeting last week, revealed the rise in sex crimes compared to 70 recorded over the same period last year.

It also revealed the detection rate was up by 17.1 per cent to 68.5 per cent, with the number of detections for reported rapes at 95.7 per cent – a 40 per cent increase on the previous years.

It said: “There has been a number of enquiries into historic abuse in East Lothian which is attributable to these increases.

“One operation alone resulted in over 20 crimes being recorded against the same suspect dating over the last 20 years.

“At least four enquiries into historic domestic abuse have seen multiple offences recorded under both sexual crime and violence.”

There was also a rise in the number of domestic abuse incidents reported of more than 20 per cent.

However, the number of domestic abuse crimes recorded had, in fact, fallen by four per cent, suggesting more people were “reaching out to the police for assistance regarding non-criminal matters”.

Police said changes to the law next year which will criminalise coercive and controlling behaviour are expected to bring a rise in the number of recorded incidents and crimes.

There was also a fall in anti-social behaviour, racially aggravated conduct and road casualties.

The report was due to be presented to the police, fire, community safety scrutiny committee but the meeting was cancelled after there were not enough members present for it to be quorate.