MORE than 1,000 sexual offences were recorded by Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire in the past year.

Latest police figures for the period from July 2014 to June 2015 revealed that 1,013 sexual offences were reported, compared to 593 the previous year.

The number of rapes has climbed to 316 in 2014-15 from 178 in 2013-14, a jump of 78 per cent.

Chief Constable Francis Habgood said the continued rise in reported sexual offences was also down to a growing confidence in the police.

He added: “While the figures on rapes are higher, I believe that this shows a greater confidence among victims that the police will deal with the rape in an effective and sympathetic way.

“Crime across the force area continues to fall and victim satisfaction remains high.”

The statistics emerged yesterday after figures for all UK forces for April 2014 to March 2015 were released by the Office for National Statistics.

They showed that Thames Valley Police saw the second largest reduction of criminal offences in England and Wales. Recorded crimes were 32,834, down on the previous year’s 35,000 offences.

The police also revealed that there were 187 crimes relating to child sexual exploitation, with the force making 38 charges. Mr Habgood said: “I am really encouraged by the latest figures, which show that Thames Valley had the second largest reduction in criminal offences across England and Wales last year.

He added: “This is testament to the officers, staff and volunteers who, with the support of members of the public and partners, worked so hard to achieve this.”

The ONS figures also revealed there was a 43 per cent increase in reports of all sexual offences, including rape, in the Thames Valley in April 2014-March 2015, compared to the previous 12 months. This was higher than the national average of 37 per cent.

The police said this was partially down to a new domestic abuse risk assessment process in which victims can disclose previously unreported rapes.

After the ONS released the figures, Thames Valley Police revealed that it had seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of victims coming forward about rape offences that had occurred prior to April 2014.

Lisa Ward, director of Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre – which provides help for victims – said reporting figures for sexual offences often did not tell the whole story. She added: “They only ever paint part of the picture when it comes to sexual violence, with many of those who experience rape and sexual abuse never reporting it to the police.

“The Home Office suggests the number who report [offences] is about 15 per cent of all those who experience some form of sexual abuse or rape.”

She said high-profile abuse cases in the media might have led to the rise, adding: “In recent years, the number of reported cases seem to be consistently rising.

“I would hope this is due to more people feeling able to report their experiences, rather than an increase in the number of sexually violent crimes being committed.

“This may be in part due to high-profile cases being more prominent in the media, making survivors feel more able to report their experiences, as well as the efforts of the police to ensure that the recording of sexual offences is carried out more robustly, and that survivors feel more able to report if they wish.”

Any victim wishing to seek help can contact Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre on 01865 726295.