Victims of rape in Lancashire have only a three per cent chance that reporting their assault will lead to a conviction.

Figures obtained from Lancashire Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service show that between 2020 and 2022, 4,214 reports of rape were made to Lancashire Police.

The highest number of rape reports made were made in 2022, with 1,527 reports but, according to data from the CPS, only 50 of these led to a conviction, giving Lancashire a conviction rate of just 3.3 per cent.

Of these, 82 per cent of the rape reports are female, 10 per cent are male, and the remaining victims’ genders are unknown.

Of the 50 convicted rapists, 47 were male and the gender of the other three are registered unknown, meaning 94 per cent of convicted rapists in Lancashire last year were men.

Victims of sexual assault in Lancashire have a slightly higher chance their report will lead to a conviction than the England average, however only 11 per cent of the 1,760 sexual assault reports in 2022 led to a conviction.

In 2020 there were 1,306 reports of sexual assault, which increased to 1,654 in 2021 and then again last year.

The figures, obtained through a freedom of information request, revealed more than half of the sexual assault and rape reports result in ‘no further action’ due to ‘evidential difficulties’.

Rape Crisis, a charity that offers support to victims of sexual violence, said these figures are, sadly, nothing out of the ordinary.

Jayne Butler, the charity's chief executive, said: "Unfortunately these figures are wholly unsurprising and reflect what is happening across the country.

"In 2021, just one per cent of rapes recorded by police resulted in a charge that same year – let alone a conviction – and there are few signs anything is improving.

"The number of rapes being reported to the police nationally are at an all-time high, as increasing numbers of people report was has happened to them.

"But the criminal justice system is failing victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault at every level.

"We’ve long outlined steps that need to be taken to improve conviction rates, including the establishment of specialist Rape and Serious Sexual Units (RASSO) units across all police forces, comprehensive, regular and trauma-informed training for all officers working on these kinds of cases, and rape cases to be given “priority listing” (like murder cases), which would see them moved quicker up the queue of court cases."

Lancashire Constabulary were asked to provide information on what measures are in place to protect people who have been raped and sexually assaulted and whether these findings will impact the likelihood of victims reporting a crime.

Det Supt Neil Drummond, Head of Public Protection at Lancashire Constabulary, said: “Rape and sexual assault is one of the most complex and challenging crimes we deal with within the criminal justice system.

"Our officers are dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for all victims.

“We are committed to working to improve the support offered to victims and tighten our grip on offenders.

“We want victims to feel confident they will be treated with compassion and that we will do everything possible to trace those responsible and take action against them.

“Throughout our involvement in a report of rape, and its subsequent investigation, we offer a victim-centred approach. Rape is a traumatic crime and the victim is at the heart of everything that we do.

“The constabulary has introduced a number of measures over the past few years to ensure that victims are treated professionally, with sensitivity and with regard for their future safety and well-being.

“Over the last 12 months we have implemented dedicated RASSO teams to ensure dedicated investigators with the appropriate training take ownership of investigations and look after the individual needs of victims.

“We have developed our capability to extract data from digital devices and we are working closely with Lancashire victim services to provide dedicated support and with the Crown Prosecution Service to maximise opportunities for prosecution and reduce the length of time taken to bring offenders to justice.

“To build on this work already in place we have signed up as one of 14 forces to join the expansion programme for Operation Soteria Bluestone, a National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) led and Home Office funded research and change programme.

"The scheme aims to transform the policing response to rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) and will result in a national operating model which will be rolled out to all 43 Home Office forces.

“We recognise there is more to do but we will continue in our efforts to ensure we convict offenders, secure justice for victims and protect the public.”

The Survivors Trust has been approached for a comment.