RAPE victims in Lancashire are almost five times more likely to see their attackers jailed than in other areas of the country.

Lancashire police has the second best rate nationally for securing convictions against rapists, according to new figures released by a campaigning group.

The Fawcett Society, which campaigns for women's equality in the justice system, say that women currently face a postcode lottery when reporting rape and are calling for forces to ensure every allegation is investigated properly.

Lancashire 's 2006 conviction rate was 11.2 per cent, beaten only by Cleveland police who had a 13.2 per cent success rate.

Fewer than one in 35 women see their attacker found guilty in Leicestershire, where the conviction rate is the country's lowest at 2.8 per cent.

Fawcett Society director Katherine Rake said: "These disturbing figures reveal that women face a postcode lottery when reporting rape to the police.

"In many cases women face a culture of disbelief. Delayed responses lead to the loss of vital evidence.

"Women deserve so much better than this."

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Esseen, of Lancashire police's major investigation yeam, said: "Rape is historically a very difficult area in which to secure convictions and Lancashire police are at the forefront in improving standards, both in investigation and in the quality of care of victims."

Lancashire pioneered a breakthrough in the examination and safeguarding of victims via the SAFE Centre (Sexual Assault Forensic Examination) which was set up in 2003.

Mr Esseen said: "Victims are dealt with by specially trained sexual offences investigators, to maximise investigative and evidential opportunities.

“We also work closely with our partner agencies like the Crown Prosecution Service and the forensic service providers to ensure that we maximise the chance of convictions, and run initiatives like Nightsafe to make people more aware of their own responsibility in keeping themselves safe and minimising risk."

He added: "Rape is often not committed by strangers as many people perceive but is often carried out by an acquaintance or partner of the victim.

"Whatever the circumstances we strive to provide a high quality of service for the victims, whatever the eventual outcome of the case, and we urge people to come forward and report to us if they have been sexually assaulted."

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