THE number of recorded rapes on adults in Hampshire soared by more than 130 per cent in the space of a year - but the number of rapists being convicted has dropped by more than half.

Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Hayes is set to quiz the county's Chief Constable after reported adult cases rose from 362 to 839 in the space of just 12 months - the biggest increase in the country outside London.

But while the number of reports of rapes have increased both the number of people charged and convicted has dropped.

Hampshire Constabulary say the rise does not mean that more offences are taking place in the county, but that more people are coming forward and the force's recording of crime has improved.

The figures have been released by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) as part of a report on rape reports and how they are recorded by 44 English and Welsh police forces.

They show that the number of recorded rapes of children in Hampshire rose from 223 to 359 between 2013/14 and 2014/15 and on adults from 362 to 839 in the same period.

Of the 1,198 offences recorded against both children and adults in the county, 59 were either transferred to other offences or cancelled.

Of the number of cases referred by the police to the Crown Prosecution Service rose from 204 to 239, the number of people charged with offences dropped from 127 to 122.

And while the number of prosecutions rose from 96 to 114, the number of people being convicted for rape fell from 34 to 15.

Mr Hayes has said the increase is "of great concern" to him, adding: "I’ll be questioning the Chief Constable as to why this is.

Daily Echo: Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner Simon HayesSimon Hayes

"I will be seeking assurance from the Chief Constable on this issue and will continue exploring how victims and survivors can be better supported by all organisations involved in the Criminal Justice Service."

He said high profile historic sexual abuse cases brought to the public attention by the Operation Yewtree investigation into entertainer Jimmy Savile's crimes, had made victims "more aware that allegations reported to police will be investigated regardless of how long ago or recently they were committed".

He added that he believes it also reflects greater confidence in the justice system from victims but said the "majority" of people suffering from rape do not report the crime and that the figures may still "only represent the experiences of the minority of victims who have become involved with the criminal justice system".

Detective Superintendent Phil McTavish, from Hampshire Constabulary, said: "The number of offences reported has risen significantly, but this does not mean that the total number of offences committed has risen by the same amount. We are seeing an increase in reporting which we welcome as a sign of increased trust and confidence in our approach.

"We have also seen a large rise in non-recent cases being reported to us, which again we strongly believe is a mark of confidence in the service the public receive.

"The increase is also attributable to changes in the way we record crime and we are confident in the improvements in our data integrity standards."

He said that "significant resources" are spent on training investigators "to the highest standard" and a spokesman added that the force is carrying out "constant ongoing training of staff and we are continuously striving to evolve and improve practice".

Tara Doel, from Southampton Rape Crisis, says the figures mirror the charity's own recent experiences, saying they "hope and believe this is partly down to our pro-active networks and awareness raising that more victims feel able to report and they will be supported."

She said the charity and other organisations have strong links and better communication with the police and local authorities, adding that she believes victims now have greater confidence that help is available and their attackers can be brought to justice.

• Visit the Southampton Rape Crisis website for more information.