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Dundee has the highest rate of sex crimes in Scotland, new figures have revealed.

Official statistics also showed violent crime overall has dropped to a 41-year low as officials put the increase in reported sexual offences down to a rise in historical reporting and more victims coming forward.

Dundee was also the only area in the country where prostitution increased, while Angus saw a 545% upsurge in just four years relating to “other” sexual crimes, which includes the likes of taking, distributing and possessing indecent photos of children and flashing.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Police and prosecutors have improved the way they investigate and prosecute sexual crime.”

The rate of recorded sexual crimes increased to 18 per 10,000 population, compared to 16 per 10,000 last year. Dundee’s 37 per 10,000 dwarfed East Renfrewshire’s low of six per 10,000.

An official report also revealed 97% of crimes relating to prostitution took place in Scotland’s four largest cities, with all bar Dundee showing a recorded decrease in the last year.

There were 1,901 reported rapes and attempted rapes last year a 5% rise from 2013/14 and 68% higher than the total from 2010/11 with the report pointing out that “other” sexual crime accounted for 37% of such offences.

Recorded violent crimes fell by 6% to 6,357 the lowest level since 1974 while cases of handling an offensive weapon were the lowest recorded since 1985.

Labour’s justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said he believed many women in Scotland still face difficulties in reporting sexual crime without fear of prejudice.

Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said: “The reality is that fewer people are becoming victims of crime.”