THE number of rape investigations in Hampshire has increased by 94 per cent in the past year, Hampshire’s top cop has said.

Reports of sexual offences are up by 67 per cent in the same period, the year up to February 2015, while vulnerability referrals to the force have doubled since 2013.

The figures have been released at a time when Hampshire Constabulary is trying to save £25million of savings by April 2016, taking the total cost cutting to £80m since 2010.

The figures were released by Chief Constable Andy Marsh at the Forensic Innovation Centre, where Hampshire academics work alongside the police to develop cutting edge forensic research.

He said: “Policing is changing as we become more and more focused on working with partners to protect vulnerable people.

“We are well prepared, having redesigned the force to look and work very differently, but we have also made sure we retain the strong neighbourhood identity that has served our communities so well in recent years.

“This is a significant change for the force, and whilst we will look to realise the benefits for our communities as quickly as possible we will need time, hard work and support from the public to get it absolutely right."

Simon Hayes, Hampshire and Isle of Wight police and crime commissioner, said: “Public confidence in policing within Hampshire is high, but for all of our progress in preparing for the future, we have also been reminded this week of the looming spectre of further budget cuts.

“As I have been saying for many months now, this would have a major impact on the Constabulary’s ability to maintain and improve its performance in the future.

“I therefore invite the public, partners and those from across the political spectrum to join me in the coming months to make the case for protecting police funding and the new services for victims that I am pioneering through my Police and Crime Plan."