NEW figures reveal more than a thousand alleged rapes and sexual assaults committed against women, men and children were reported last year in Devon and Cornwall.

Statistics released by Devon and Cornwall police show that between January 1 and December 31 a total of 1,117 alleged sex crimes were carried out.

Det Con Caroline Knight, the force's rape coordinator, said Devon and Cornwall Constabulary was working hard to improve the plight of rape victims with specialist training.

She said: "We already have a sexual assault referral centre in Plymouth and working to set up more across the two counties.

"The centres are something of a one-stop-shop for victims where they can come and be seen by a doctor, deal with police and be put in touch with counselling services. We accept rape and sexual assault are very under-reported crimes."