Average jail sentence for rape raised more than 20 months in six years

Could be attributed to tougher sentencing and 'more progressive' laws

Compares to 3,600 in Germany, 2,287 in Spain and just 2,034 in Italy

There were 5,408 rapists serving time in jail in England and Wales in 2013

Britain has more rapists in jail than any other EU country, research shows.

There were 5,408 prisoners serving rape sentences in England and Wales in 2013, compared to 3,600 in Germany, 2,287 in Spain and just 2,034 in Italy, a report by the Council of Europe reveals.

The figures could be attributed to tougher sentencing guidelines, higher reporting rates and more 'progressive' rape laws, according to women's charities.

Leading: There were 5,408 prisoners serving rape sentences in England and Wales in 2013, compared to 3,600 in Germany, 2,287 in Spain and just 2,034 in Italy, a report by the Council of Europe reveals

The number of rapes in Britain hit a record high in 2013 - with more than 35 women attacked every day according to the latest official figures, released in October.

While this accounts for between just 20 and 25 per cent of rapes committed, the government claims - others place the estimate at 10 and 15 per cent - it is still higher than other European countries.

Reporting rates in Germany fall at roughly 11 per cent, according to a study published by the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony, in Hanover, Germany, in 2011.

While in Italy, 92 per cent of rapes are not reported to police, according to the 2009 UN Secretary-General’s Database on Violence against Women.

This higher reporting rate in Britain means that there are more opportunities for the offenders to be prosecuted, convicted and jail - contributing to the larger number of rapists in jailed.

Sarah Green, Acting Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: 'The relatively high sentencing rate for the UK does not necessarily indicate that there are more rapists here.

'Progressive': The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, said last month it was time to move past 'no means no' when investigating rape

'Only about 10-15 per cent of rapes are reported to the police in the UK but this rate is still one of the highest in Europe and means more perpetrators are prosecuted and then sentenced.'

Numbers of rape cases coming to court in the past two years in Britain have also risen by 30 per cent. Of the cases sent to prosecutors for trial in 2012/2013, around 60 per cent result in convictions.

However, this represented a drop on 3 per cent from the previous year.

Tougher sentencing guidelines are one of the reasons there could be a higher number of Britons jailed for rape than in other European countries.

Between 2005 and 2011 - the most recent set of data available - there has been an increase of 20.1-month increase in the length of sentence for raping a woman. It is now more than eight years.

The average sentence for raping a man rose by 28 months over the same period to more than eight years.

Ms Green added that the law on rape in the UK, which based on a definition of the absence of consent, is 'clearer and more progressive than many other countries'.

Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service announced a major overhaul to the way rape cases are investigated, saying it was time to move past 'no means no'.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders, said she wanted police to ask suspects how they knew the alleged victim was saying yes, and was doing so 'freely and knowingly'.

The CPS wants to tighten the law against offenders who target people incapacitated through drink or drugs, or where the alleged rapist holds a position of power over the victim.

Questions on consent should also be raised where the complainant has mental health problems or learning difficulties, it was said.

Tougher sentencing: Between 2005 and 2011 - the most recent set of data available - there has been an increase of 20.1-month increase in the length of sentence for raping a woman. (Above, file image)

This means it can be more straightforward for the CPS to convict rapists - and increases the chance of them being sentenced to time in prison.

Ms Green noted: 'Some other countires are still examining rape as though it must involve physical force and resistance for example which is not the case here.'