Reports of sexual offences in Watford have tripled in the last five years – but victims’ fear of the criminal justice system means less than a quarter of cases led to prosecution.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to Hertfordshire Constabulary by the Watford Observer has revealed that Watford had not only the highest number of reported cases of sexual offences in south west Hertfordshire, but had the biggest increase.

Between September 2010 and August 2011 a total of 73 cases of sexual offences, which include rape and sexual assault, were reported to the police. Of these cases 30 involved a victim under age 16 and 22 led to a person being charge.

Between September 2014 and August 2015 the figure of reported cases nearly tripled to 172, however, the number of cases where there was someone was charged was only 25. In the same year, 54 of the reported cases included a victim under the age of 16.

In Three Rivers, the number of cases reported in the last five years more than doubled, from 32 to 76.

Of the reported cases in 2010-11, 11 included a victim under 16 and six cases led to someone being charged. In 2014-15, of the 76 reported cases, 30 involved a victim under 16 and seven cases led to charges being held.

Katie Russell, spokesperson for Rape Crisis, a national charity that supports victims of rape, said: “We know that the vast majority still choose not to report to the police.

“Every survivor is unique and there are many and varied reasons why so few choose to pursue criminal justice and among those reasons are fear of not being believed, of being blamed for what’s happened to them and fear of the criminal justice system itself.”

Ms Russell added: “We know that sexual violence cases can take over a year from report to court and for many that is far too long to be asked to repeatedly relive what has often been the more traumatic experience of their lives.”

Detective Sergeant Claire Hill from the Sexual Offences Investigation Unit said that since the Jimmy Savile sexual abuse scandal broke in 2012 the number of reports coming in has accelerated, particularly historical cases.

She said: “We have welcomed the increase in the number of cases reported as so many go un-reported.

“We are victim focused and respect the views of the victims. We are honest from the start and say we will do the best investigation we can but can’t always guarantee an outcome. And we never force victims who do not want to proceed with the investigation.

“We also offer victims support throughout the process in terms of their emotional and welfare needs and make sure they kept safe during and afterwards.”

DS Hill also added that the team still encourages victims to report sexual offences as even if there is no prosecution, there can still be other positive outcomes, which include it being on their record.

Last year Hertfordshire Constabulary launched a campaign to raise awareness that anyone can become a victim of sexual assault.