Rape figures: 'Priority is victim confidence' says Met Police

There are wide variations in the way rape cases are handled by police forces in England and Wales, according to new figures.

The Inspectorate of Constabulary claims differences in the rate of recorded rapes suggest there is a culture of disbelief among some of the 43 forces covered by the data.

Martin Hewitt, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said his priority was ''victim confidence'' to encourage greater reporting of rape to the police.