Women are more likely to be raped in London than in any other part of the country despite increased efforts by police and prosecutors to bring offenders to justice, official figures show.

Statistics published by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary show that 3,742 rapes were recorded in London during the 12 months to the end of March this year — up 1,302 on four years earlier. It means that 55 out of every 100,000 people living in the capital reported a rape during the last year.

This rate is the highest in the country and compares with a national average figure of 41 offences per 100,000 people. It also means that the official risk of suffering a rape in London is now 52 per cent higher than four years ago.

An analysis published with today’s figures suggests that one explanation for the rising number of recorded attacks is a surge in reports prompted by publicity surrounding the Jimmy Savile case, and subsequent investigations into historical rape offending.

Better recording of rape offences by police and measures by the Met and prosecutors to encourage victims to come forward could also be factors.

The figures will also intensify debate about the effectiveness of measures to protect victims and punish perpetrators. Only 482 suspects were charged for adult rapes in London during the 12 months to the end of March. That is down from 559 in 2010/2011. There was also a sharp fall in cases referred to prosecutors by police, down from 1,456 in 2010/11 to 791 in 2014/15.

But today’s analysis makes clear that the “greater complexity” of investigations into sex attacks means more offenders could be charged in future.

Data for convictions show that 400 London rapists were found guilty or admitted their crime last year. That is up on the 379 convictions in the previous 12 months — although it is less than the figure of 446 four years ago.

The acquittal of rape defendants by juries — 1,245 were cleared across England and Wales last year — is cited as the main reason for failed prosecutions. Other explanations include victims retracting evidence or failing to testify. The figures also showed 1,337 child rapes were reported in London in 2014/15.