Rapes reported to detectives in the Thames Valley region have increased by more than 50 per cent in the last year with almost 200 child sexual exploitation crimes also being investigated.

In figures released by Thames Valley Police today it was revealed all crimes between April 2014 and the end of March this year were down by 6,000, but reported sexual assaults rose by my more than a third.

In total there was a 52.6 per cent increase of reported rapes in the past year, although 31 per cent of all rapes were actually committed in the previous year.

Violent attacks against the person also increased by 10.4 per cent in the past year, but there was a “significant” drop in robbery, burglary and motor theft, TVP said.

Robbery is down by 17 per cent and all burglary has fallen by 18 per cent, with dwelling burglaries at their lowest level since 1973.

The chance of being a victim of vehicle theft has reduced in two years from one in 159 in 2012 to one in 203 in 2014, equating to a fall of 18 per cent.

New Chief Constable, Francis Habgood, said: “Crime in the Thames Valley continues to fall and victim satisfaction remains high.

“The reduction for robbery, burglary and vehicle theft is particularly significant. 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 greater reporting of sexual offences is encouraging and we will continue to safeguard and protect victims of these crimes and thoroughly investigate each case.

“Violence has risen in the last year, but levels in Thames Valley have been lower than national averages and we will continue to work with our partners and local communities to tackle these crimes.”

Domestic crimes and child sexual exploitation (CSE) remain as two areas Thames Valley Police are looking at further tackling.

In the past year there have been 187 CSE related crimes recorded across Thames Valley and within this financial year, the Force has made 38 charges.

Whilst domestic crime is an area that has seen some growth this year (six per cent), a recent domestic abuse inspection found that the public could have confidence that Thames Valley Police provides a good service to victims of domestic abuse.

Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, said: “I want to thank all the Thames Valley police officers, staff and volunteers for their continued hard work.

"Their invaluable contribution ensures Thames Valley is an even safer place for all our communities, with crime now at a 25 year low and household burglary at a 41 year low.

“Levels of violence in the Thames Valley remain consistently low in comparison with other Forces, and the small increase in cases is largely because of lowering the criteria required for reporting.

“Along with the Force and our partners, we have enhanced the support given to victims of sexual offences and domestic violence. This will continue over the year ahead and I am delighted that more people have had the confidence to report these offences.

“A clear direction of travel has been set by the Chief Constable to deliver my key priorities in 2015/16.

“The Force is already committed to the challenges of delivering policing to all communities, and is tackling new emerging trends such as cyber crime and fraud, exploitation and slavery.”