RECORDED rapes continue to rise in each of the region’s four police force areas.

A series of reports by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) for the national Rape Monitoring Group reveal the “raw data” behind the crime and how forces responded to such complaints.

Previously HMIC raised serious concerns about weaknesses in the recording of crime and also said rapes in many force areas were being incorrectly ‘no crimed’. This led police to re-open some cases and re-examine their original conclusions.

In Durham 147 adult rapes were recorded in 2013/14, a near threefold rise on 2012/13’s figure of 50. There was also a rise in recorded child rape offences from 73 to 108.

Seven rape offences were classed as no crime, either because it was determined no crime was committed or for administrative reasons.

Durham Police has previously attributed a rise in sexual offences to its Operation Seabrook inquiry which is examining historic allegations of sexual abuse at the former Medomsley detention centre, Consett.

The Rape Monitoring Group said as a consequence of Operation Yewtree – the Metropolitan police investigation prompted by offences committed by former DJ Jimmy Savile – there has been a significant increase in reporting of rapes and the numbers of recorded rapes nationally rose 31 per cent over the 12 months to the end of September 2014.

Responding to figures contained in the Durham report, a spokesman said: “It would be accurate to say a major factor in the extra numbers will be historic offences which are now coming to light, including those reported to the Operation Seabrook team.”

There were 33 rape prosecutions of defendants which originated from the Durham area in 2013/14 resulting in 23 convictions.

Helen Murphy, from Durham police’s safeguarding team, said: “We know there is still much to do and are currently finalising a multiagency action plan to address all aspects of domestic and sexual violence.”

Cleveland police recorded 128 adult rapes in 2013/14, up from 114. There were 76 recorded child rapes, up from 61 in 2012/13, and 15 adult rapes were ‘no crimed’.

In Cleveland there were 63 rape prosecutions in 2013/14 and 35 convictions.

North Yorkshire Police recorded 128 adult rapes in 2013/14, up from 106, and 88 child rapes, up from 79.

Seven adult rapes were no-crimed and four child rapes.

In Northumbria there were 182 recorded adult rapes in 2013/14, an increase on 2012/13’s figure of 151. Child rape offences also rose slightly to 178, from 162 the previous year.

Thirty four adult rapes were no-crimed and six child rapes. There were 97 prosecutions of defendants and 54 convictions.

The force said it had gone further than many police forces to ensure an “outstanding” service for rape victims.

Its police and crime commissioner Vera Baird said a full re-investigation was taking place of 24 rape cases after a check of all cases was ordered going back to October 2011.