REPORTS of sexual offences in Clackmannanshire have almost doubled over the last year, according to Police Scotland figures.

Between April 2014 and March 2015, Clacks’ officers received a total of 116 sexual crime allegations, including 40 rapes and 45 sexual assaults.

When compared to 61 sexual offences the year previously, the 2014-15 statistics represent a 90 per cent increase in the number of sexual offences being reported.

Police say the spike may be due to a greater willingness on the part of victims to come forward and report sex crimes, whether they took place recently or in the distant past.

They also note that around 39 per cent of all rapes are historic, meaning they were first reported over a year after they are alleged to have taken place.

Chief Superintendent John Hawkins, new divisional commander of the Forth Valley area, said: “While there has been a rise the number of sexual offences reported in the Clackmannanshire area, this has been primarily due to the fact that more crimes of this nature are now being reported to police.

“The detection and reporting of sex crimes is a top priority for Police Scotland, with all complaints received thoroughly investigated.

“We have a dedicated investigative team based locally in Forth Valley, who is supported by our National Rape Task Force.

“Together they provide specialist support to victims and target offenders to bring them to justice.” Sandy Brindley, spokeswoman for Rape Crisis Scotland, added: “It is always difficult to say with any certainty whether increased reporting of rape means that more rapes are occurring, or whether it reflects increased confidence in the police.

“We know that rape is a particularly under-reported crime. Police Scotland have taken significant steps to ensure people have confidence in the response they receive if they report a sexual offence, and these figures suggest that this is having a positive impact.

“No matter when a rape happened, someone should feel confident in approaching the police to speak about their experience.” The sexual offence figures also show that the detection rate — those reports which lead to criminal proceedings — fell from 71 per cent to 67 per cent between 2014-15.

And when compared with other local authority areas, the Clackmannanshire detection rate for rape is the worst in mainland Scotland at just 47.5 per cent.

However, it is possible the figures are skewed following the arrest and prosecution of an Alloa man charged with a catalogue of sexual offences.

As reported earlier in the Advertiser, Dean Allen (30) was initially charged with 20 rapes and four other sexual crimes when he appeared in Alloa Sheriff Court on 8 May.

The charges were then amended when he appeared a week later under 10 rapes, two indecent assaults and a separate charge of rape and assault to injury and danger of life.

While the reports made to police are likely to have been recorded in the figures, the subsequent criminal proceedings against him became active after the March 31 deadline.