ALMOST a quarter of sexual offences are not properly reported by North Yorkshire Police, a new report has claimed.

The report, by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), examined 72 randomly selected crime records and found that of the 68 which should have been recorded as crimes, only 57 were. Five of these had been incorrectly classified, and another 13 were outside the 72-hour recording limit.

It also found that of 105 incidents which had been classed as no-crimes, 35 were allegations of rape, and 21 were wrongly dismissed - a finding the report said was "particularly concerning".

The report said: "The recording of rape and serious sexual offences is frequently delayed by force working practices and that the oversight of this area is not sufficient to ensure accurate recording."

HMIC recommended the force immediately review the no-crime decision making process, and within three months should review the way it manages reports of rape.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, said the figures were inadequate but the report raised "no questions of improper conduct".

She said: "84 per cent of crimes being correctly recorded in North Yorkshire is not good enough, albeit it is better than most forces.

"In the case of some crimes, such as sexual and domestic abuse, it can be very difficult for victims to report what has happened. I am therefore determined to see services to victims enhanced and there is still much more we can do to ensure people who report a crime get the help they need, as well as justice they deserve."

Mrs Mulligan said: "Proper crime recording is extremely important, and the police must get that right. But policing is about more than the numbers.

"It is how we deal with people that matters. This is clearly also the public's priority as they have firmly told me that supporting vulnerable people as their number one priority."

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, said: "What we would like to stress is that even if a case had been deemed ‘no crime’, that does not mean that an investigation has not taken place and those involved offered the appropriate support.

"There is no room for complacency, but it is encouraging that we have recently seen an increase in the number of victims who are prepared to come forward and report domestic and sexual abuse to North Yorkshire Police."

Mr Madgwick said changes had been made to the way crimes were recorded, and the report showed there was no pressure to under-record or misclassify crimes.