The near 184,000 offences were up more than a fifth on the previous 12 months, with rape accounting for 37 percent of the figure, the Office for National Statistics revealed.

Campaigners say the spike in recorded offences highlights both an increasing willingness of victims to come forward – and “unprecedented levels of need” for specialist support services for victims.

Growing numbers of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse were also coming forward, she added.

She said there are currently 12,000 people on Rape Crisis waiting lists.

The ONS said the latest figures may reflect a “number of factors”, including the “impact of high-profile incidents, media coverage and campaigns on people’s willingness to report incidents to the police, as well as a potential increase in the number of victims”.

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