Lincolnshire rape crisis centre opened in Lincoln

A new rape crisis centre including a telephone helpline has been officially opened in Lincoln.

Lincolnshire Rape Crisis will also offer face-to-face counselling for female rape and sex assault victims.

The centre comes as it was revealed that a third of all reported rape incidents in Lincolnshire last year were dropped by police - the highest percentage in the country.

It has been funded with support from the Ministry of Justice.

It will have three full-time staff but will also need about 20 female volunteers to offer counselling and advice to women in the county.

The rape crisis group said it would support women whether they want to press charges or not.

Lincolnshire Police recorded 110 adult rapes in the 12 months to the end of March 2013, and subsequently decided 36 (33%) had not taken place.

In contrast, the average "no crime" rate for rapes in England and Wales was 12%, and the lowest was 3%, in Cumbria.

Lincolnshire Police said there was not a "culture of disbelief", and it investigated all reports thoroughly.