FIVE years ago, we were reporting that in Poole alone, the number of reported rapes had tripled and twice as many sex assaults had been reported.

Whatever your sex or age, those statistics chilled you to the bone.

Back then, the 21st century curse of binge drinking was cited as one of the main reasons for the alarming rise and its influence, while muted in today’s story, is surely one of the factors in the move to station one of four new support centres for rape victims here.

As Jess Weir, of Dorset Rape Crisis Line states, Bournemouth’s reputation as a sleepy resort is long gone and the centre’s proximity to the town centre, with its sometimes manic night-time economy, is appropriate.

Rape is a most horrendous offence, a cowardly violation with absolutely no excuse for its perpetration.

Help is needed for the victims, not just to deal with this awful crime, but to be imbued with the courage to put these sick individuals behind bars.

• A policeman's lot is certainly not a happy one after yesterday’s wide-reaching review of officers’ pay and conditions.

These are tough times, for the public sector as well as the private and some sacrifices have to be made on pay, especially bonuses.

There may be exaggeration on both sides, but nobody could exaggerate the importance of a motivated, dedicated force.