ALMOST 3,000 reports of rape were made to West Yorkshire Police in the last financial year, but only 160 people were convicted of the offence.

New figures published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Home Office revealed the force recorded 2,957 rapes, the vast majority of them against women and girls, but just 143 people were charged or summonsed.

However, the number of rapes reported to the force has seen a sharp increase since 2013/14.

A total of 807 rapes were reported in 2013/14 compared to last year's 2,957.

Across the UK, the overall charge rate has decreased compared to the previous year, from 6.8per cent to 4.2 per cent, while the total number of reported rapes has increased from 41,186 in 2016/17 to 54,045 last year.

Katie Russell, national spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales, which includes Bradford Rape Crisis, said the justice system has to be more robust if victims are not going to lose faith in it.

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“The figures reconfirm the alarming decline in rates of criminal justice for the increasing numbers of victims and survivors of rape who are choosing to report to the police.

"Our criminal justice system is routinely failing those who’ve been subjected to sexual violence and abuse of all kinds, at every stage of the process.

"Rape Crisis has called for a complete overhaul of the criminal justice system in relation to sexual offences for many years and we reiterate now the urgency and thoroughness with which the Government must treat the end to end review it has promised.

"Meanwhile, the police and Crown Prosecution Service must explain why, when more and more victims and survivors are putting their trust in them by coming forward, fewer and fewer are receiving the justice they want and deserve.”

Earlier this year, nine men were jailed for a total of more than 132 years for their roles in the grooming, rape and sexual exploitation of two vulnerable girls from a Bradford care home.

Superintendent Sareth Humpage of West Yorkshire Police, said dealing with the increase in the number of reported rapes is a priority for the force.

She added: "All rape offences are treated extremely seriously by West Yorkshire Police and investigated by specially trained detectives.

"Rape is an abhorrent crime and it is therefore positive that victims are feeling more confident to be able to report these offences to the police.

"We work closely with victim services to provide support for individuals throughout the criminal justice journey.

"We acknowledge the significant increase in reports and dealing with this is a priority for the Force.

"There is an ongoing national review to further research the reported increases. We continue to work with partner agencies to strive to improve and achieve the best possible outcome for each victim."