POLICE have welcomed figures which appear to show an increase in the number of rapes commited during an awareness campaign.

People in Oxfordshire were sent rape warnings and sex attack advice via BlueTooth during December as part of National Rape Awareness Week.

But there were five rapes in Oxfordshire reported to police during December – compared to only one during the same period in 2008 when the campaign was not running.

However, police believe the increase shows greater confidence by victims in police.

Figures also reveal between April 1 last year and the end of last month, there were 140 allegations of rape in Oxfordshire compared to 96 in the same period in 2008/09 and 84 in 2007/08. Other serious sexual offences fell from eight to six.

Det Insp Simon Morton, of Oxford CID, who led the campaign, said: “While in the cold light of day an increase is quite frightening we are pleased because the message we put out was for women who are abused or raped to come forward and speak to us and it appears that has been the case.

“We will have to run this over a large period of time to see if it definitely because people are coming forward but rapes are very under-reported.

“The campaign was about being careful but also have the confidence to report it.

“We also feel we got through to people which stopped some of the serious sexual offences from occurring.”

The campaign ran from November 30 until December 27.

Police in Oxford city centre sent revellers mobile phone warnings via the BlueTooth messaging service.

Alerts included ‘Let your hair down, not your guard’ and ‘No consent, No sex’.”

Posters were also displayed in pubs and clubs across the county.

Det Sgt Sally Kestin, of Thames Valley Police’s protecting vulnerable people strategy unit, said: “Rape is an under-reported crime.

“Nationally it is believed that up to 40 per cent of rapes are not reported to the police.

“It is encouraging that the campaign resulted in an increase in reports of rape and sexual assault as this is also a show of confidence that the report will be dealt with appropriately.

“Anecdotally we know whenever we run a publicity campaign on rape and sexual assault, people are encouraged to call us and the numbers of reported crimes increase and this is borne out by the Christmas figures.”

  • To report a rape or sexual assault contact police on 08458 505505 or in an emergency 999. To contact Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre call 01865 726295 or email osarcc@gmail.com