THE police will need to “undertake radical change” in the way it deals with rape complaints after big failures in the service were announced by an independent report yesterday.

A review conducted by Elish Angiolini into rape investigations in London revealed how an “increase in reporting is putting an overwhelming burden on staff.”

Concerns were also expressed that the Metropolitan Police would not be able to “effectively manage” the complaints as it stands.

Commenting on the findings Ms Angiolini said: “Some of the recommendations will require a willingness to undertake radical change in the approach to these cases.”

The almost 200-page review found that record of rape and similar sexual offences saw a 68 per cent rise between in the last decade.

However charges on sexual crimes rose by only 17 per cent within that time.

End Violence Against Women Coalition acting director Sarah Green welcomed the findings, which she labelled “clear and incisive.”

“We hope the government responds and acts to ensure that all parts of the criminal justice system are fit to pursue justice for every person who reports rape.

“We hope police and prosecution service leaders take to heart the findings and change their practices where they need to.

“Beyond this, we must recognise that the vast majority of survivors of rape still do not report it to the police.

“We must ensure there are adequate support services in our communities available whenever a survivor seeks them out,” she added.