THE vast majority of the hundreds of rapes reported in Dorset every year happen in the Bournemouth area, latest figures have revealed.

Almost three quarters are concentrated in a small part of the county, prompting Dorset Police to identify the town as the location for a new £200,000 Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

Last year there were 219 reports of rape in the county and the latest statistics available reveal there have been 171 this year, up to and including November 18.

In 2008 there were 172 reports, 181 in 2007 and 140 in 2006. A total of 74 per cent were in the Bournemouth area.

The Home Office has declared that all police forces should have a SARC by April 2011 and Dorset Police plan to expand the existing victim suite in the Bournemouth divisional HQ building in Madeira Road.

It will include two medical examination suites, each with a forensic waiting area, a shower room and an examination room. One will be focused more towards children but both will be available to adults.

There will also be four video interview rooms, waiting areas, reception, office space, storage and a kitchen.

Staff will include a manager, a bank of on-call crisis workers, an independent sexual violence adviser, forensic medical examiners and a clinical director.

In a report to members of Dorset Police Authority, Chief Constable Martin Baker said three different locations had been considered but "this option was selected for a number of reasons, including its proximity to demand, good transport links and close to the night-time economy".

The project is likely to be completed in June or July next year.

HOW I'M GOING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF RAPE PROSECUTIONS IN DORSET

• By Kate Brown, Chief Crown Prosecutor of Dorset

The Crown Prosecution Service has announced a series of measures to boost the quality of rape prosecutions. It's my job to make sure that a consistent and first class service is delivered locally.

Rape is one of the cruellest and most degrading offences, and prosecuting it can be difficult.

We are now redoubling our efforts to achieve the highest standards across the country. I hope the public will have confidence that rape victims will be treated sensitively and that their attackers will be prosecuted robustly.

Budget cuts will not affect the quality from our specialist rape prosecutors. They will still be given the time and training to ensure they are the very best they can be.

I will ensure that any decisions they make on whether or not to prosecute are based on the merits of the evidence.

There can be no room for decisions based on the assumption that a jury might hold certain misconceptions or be intolerant (examples include what the complainant might have been wearing, or what he or she may have had to drink when the alleged attack took place).

I will be closely monitoring the communication between my lawyers and complainants of rape and sexual offences. They need to ensure they are speaking in language that everyone can understand, and in language that is sensitive.

In the New Year, the CPS will be consulting as to how and when we charge individuals with perverting the course of justice, particularly when a rape complainant is suspected of falsely retracting an allegation.

Prosecuting a rape complainant for perverting the course of justice is unusual, and if such a case is being considered, the Director of Public Prosecutions has asked that his approval is sought.

These measures are the first in a long-term drive to improve the quality of rape prosecutions, so you can feel confident that the CPS is determined to deal properly with the devastating offence of rape.