Rape claims soar after Yard appeal

The number of rapes reported in London has risen by almost half in three months after a drive by police to urge more women to report attacks.

Between March and May, 674 rape allegations were made compared with 470 in the same period last year - an increase of 43 per cent. In May, 244 rape allegations were recorded compared with 133 a year earlier.

Met Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said the surge in reports was a positive development. "We all accept that rape is a massively under-reported crime, so the figures going up might be a better place to be." Conviction rate stands at just over five per cent.