Kingston faces the possibility of a record number of rape allegations this year.

An average of one attack a week was reported in 2010-11, a 72 per cent increase on the average for the previous decade.

A total of 40 rapes were reported in the first nine months of 2011-12, four more than the same period last year. The 55 rapes in 2010-11 was the highest number for more than a decade.

Kingston’s borough commander Martin Greenslade last year acknowledged the upward trend, which he said was a result of victims having more confidence in coming forward.

He said: “While the increase for Kingston is large and gives me cause for concern, what we are not seeing within these figures is a high level of stranger rapes.

“Usually the victim knows the attacker in some form.”

However, he said an 11 per cent rise in other sexual offences last year was linked to clubs, bars and late-night drinking in Kingston town centre.

The Crown Prosecution Service this week announced the creation of the London rape and serious sexual offences unit to handle all rape prosecutions in the capital.

London’s top prosecutor Alison Saunders challenged myths that rape only occurs between strangers, or that drunk or provocatively-dressed victims are not credible.

She said such assumptions made it harder to secure convictions.

She said: “Victims can be wary of coming forward for fear of being demonised in court and the media. I am determined to ensure victims are confident in reporting these crimes.

We need to be aware these myths can influence court outcomes and lives. Only the person responsible for rape is the rapist.”

Charity Rape Crisis can be contacted by freephone on 0808 8029999 between noon and 2.30pm, and 7pm to 9.30pm.