Police log 10,000 indecent exposure cases, but fewer than 600 reach court

Exclusive: England and Wales figures show epidemic' of flashing against women, after allegations against Wayne Couzens emerged

Women are facing an epidemic" of flashing and other forms of indecent exposure, with police in England and Wales recording more than 10,000 cases last year but taking fewer than 600 people to court over them, Guardian analysis reveals.

The findings come after Wayne Couzens was reported for repeated instances of alleged indecent exposure in the years and days before he raped and murdered Sarah Everard, but faced no action. Police accepted they may have had enough clues to identify the police officer as a threat to women sooner, amid fears that flashing is a gateway to other sex crimes.