The number of rapes recorded in Wales rose by 20% last year – with one force seeing its rate double.
But while Dyfed-Powys' level almost doubled, from 14 to 28 per 100,000 adults, it remains the lowest of any of the 42 forces in Wales and England.
Across Wales, a total of 1,360 rapes – 809 against adults and 551 against children – were reported during 2014-15.
That represented a significant increase on the previous year’s total of 1,107.
South Wales Police, which covers Cardiff and Swansea, saw almost a 50% rise in its rate, meaning there were 30 recorded rapes during 2014-15 per 100,000 adults.
In the previous year that figure was 20.
Read more: Fewer than one in three child rape cases results in a charge or court summons, new figures reveal
Gwent has the second lowest figure nationally at 29, up from 26, while South Wales' level makes it the sixth lowest of the 42 forces.
Only one Welsh force higher than national average
But North Wales Police’s rate of 42 per 100,000 adults, up from 34 the previous year, is slightly higher than the total across Wales and England of 41.
The figures, released on Thursday morning by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s (HMIC) Rape Monitoring Group, appear to paint a bleak picture.
But HMIC says the rise in the number reported may be an indication victims are increasingly confident about reporting rape and have a better understanding of when a crime has been committed.
Read more: Swansea 'must be ever vigilant' to avoid an abuse scandal like Rotherham's, council leader warns
For full story see - http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/reported-rapes-wales-rise-fifth-10389799
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