POLICE have solved fewer than one in six rape cases in south Essex, new figures reveal.

A total of 99 people in Basildon, Southend, Castle Point and Rochford told police they had been raped between April and August this year. But just 16 had their attacker brought to justice.

The figures also revealed an increase in rapes in south Essex, with 12 more reports than in the same period in 2010.

Det Supt Tracy Hawkings, Essex Police’s lead on serious sexual crime, insisted police were doing all they could.

She said: “Serious sexual crimes have a devastating and traumatic effect on victims, so we do everything we can to ensure we deliver a professional service to solve these crimes.”

The force will be setting up a new team in March to specialise in the investigation of serious sexual crimes. Mrs Hawkings added: “Other forces have set up specialist teams and have increased the number of offenders brought to justice.

“We have had an increase in the number of sexual crimes reported to us this year, and one of the main reasons is that victims now have greater confidence to come forward – this has not always been the case.”

A new sexual assault referral centre opened this year in Brentwood.

The centre has helped 229 people since January, including 20 boys and girls under 18.

Mrs Hawkings added: “I want to reassure the public that, in the vast majority of cases, the identity of the offender is known to police and they are arrested for their crimes.

“It is not always possible to prosecute them and there are a number of reasons why cases are sometimes not prosecuted.

“It is important to note, however, that when cases do go to court, we have a high conviction rate in Essex.”