Rape detection rates in Dundee have fallen by more than a quarter.
Police Scotland successfully detected 64.6% of rape incidents between April and December 2016.
The figure is down by 25.1% from the same period in 2015.
Sinead Daly, manager of Dundee Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre, described the figures as disappointing.
Ms Daly said she would be seeking insight from Police Scotland as to why detection rates have fallen.
She said: “We have regular meetings with police, so this is something I will raise with them.
“Obviously it’s a disappointing figure and we need to see if it can be improved.
“It’s important to have a consistency of approach with a view to improving outcomes for survivors.
“We have a meeting coming up with police quite soon, so we will find out what if anything we can do.”
Ms Daly did however welcome news that Dundee has a higher than national average number of women coming forward to report historical allegations of rape.
Historical allegations are classed by Police Scotland as reports which are made more than one year after the incident in question took place.
More than 40% of rape allegations in Dundee are of a historic nature, higher than the Scottish average.
The news has been welcomed as “positive” by Police Scotland, who hailed the statistics as proof that more and more women are feeling confident enough to come forward.
Ms Daly however believes further research is required to ascertain why more women are reporting historical complaints.
She explained: “We do need to have better research.
“The levels of rape and sexual violence being reported in Dundee has increased quite significantly, but we don’t know if that’s because there’s an increase in prevalence or an increase in confidence.
“The reality is that we just don’t know.
“More women who do seek support have positive outcomes, that’s a positive thing.
“If that comes at a time when detection rates are down then there are things that need to improve there.”
Detective Superintendent Bobby Dow, of Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said: “Police Scotland is committed to supporting victims of rape and other sexual offences regardless of when the crime happened.
“We continue to support victims throughout the investigation by providing a service in a professional and compassionate manner, conducting a thorough enquiry and working closely with partner agencies.
“Sexual crime, including rape, is a priority for Tayside Division and we maintain a rigorous approach to preventing and detecting these crimes.
“Detection rates are constantly monitored and reviewed to ensure we take every appropriate and proportionate step to trace offenders and bring them before the courts.”
