Less than three percent of sexual offences reported to police in Kent get solved, new figures reveal.

Out of 43 forces across the UK, Kent ranked the lowest with just 2.8% of sexual assault cases resulting in a charge, out of court disposal or other sanctions.

It also fell to the bottom of the scale for criminal damage, public order, and for violence with injury offences.

The findings come as part of The Daily Telegraph's analysis of Home Office data for the year ending March 2020.

On the opposite end of the scale, North Yorkshire ranked top and had the highest number of solved cases in the same category at 12.5%.

As well as this, Kent's figures for solved rape cases remains at just over one percent.

This put Kent fourth from bottom place with Durham taking the lead with just under 7%.

"We are not driven by meeting targets, but instead focus on meeting the needs of the victim and ensuring they are safeguarded..."

The findings also show 47 per 1,000 criminal damage cases reported in the county get solved along with 75 per 1,000 relating to violence with injury.

In response to the findings, Assistant Chief Constable Peter Ayling from Kent Police said: "We are committed to providing the best possible service to all victims and as a force we are not driven by meeting targets, but instead focus on meeting the needs of the victim and ensuring they are safeguarded.

"We follow strict national guidelines when recording and investigating crime and it is important to remember that a charge is one of 21 possible outcomes for an investigation.

"There will always be cases where victims want intervention, not necessarily prosecution such as domestic abuse, modern slavery and low value thefts but regardless of the outcome of a case victims are always safeguarded and signposted to the appropriate support depending on their needs.

"As the only force that has been graded as outstanding for four consecutive years by the independent policing inspectorate for the way it treats the public and for its accuracy in crime data integrity, the public can have confidence that victims are put at the heart of everything we do and that crime recorded by the force is done accurately.

"When a victim contacts Kent Police to report a crime, several processes begin and these can include offering advice and support, putting in place safeguarding measures as well as commencing an investigation.

"We will always listen to the victim and when it is not in their best interest to attend court, we will explore more suitable outcomes.

"With many rape or sexual offence cases we recognise that the predominant reason why an investigation concludes is because the victim does not support a prosecution or withdraws their support.

"If a victim makes this decision, we will work with them to ensure they are making an informed choice in the knowledge they will receive the full support of Kent Police if they wish to progress an investigation."

Figures presented to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council last week found only 5.5 % of the domestic abuse offences recorded in west Kent this year resulted in the perpetrator being charged.

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