AVON and Somerset Police have issued a statement after it emerged the force had issued three cautions to adults in rape investigations over the past five years.

A spokesman said: "Carrying out thorough and professional investigations into rape and sexual assault and achieving justice for victims will always be one of our top policing priorities.

"We’ve given out three cautions to adults in rape investigations over the past five years – two in 2013/14 and one in 2012/13.

"No cautions have been given to an adult for rape in the past three years.

"In two of the three cases, the victims were reporting a rape which happened in the 1980s and 1960s respectively.

"In one of these cases, the offender was under the age of 14 at the time the crime happened and following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service a caution was given for indecent assault.

"In the other non-recent case, the offender was around the age of 13 at the time of the offences and accepted a caution for a sexual offence, which was not legally defined as rape at the time it was committed.

"The victims were fully consulted throughout."

DCI Marie Wright, the force lead for rape and sexual assault, said: “There are robust safeguarding measures in place around the decision to give an adult a caution in a rape investigation.

“The decision is always reviewed by a specialist lawyer in the CPS and our force rape champion.

“The welfare and protection of victims is at the forefront of all rape and sexual assault investigations and we provide a comprehensive package of support to victims with the help of our partners, including organisations like The Bridge, SafeLink and SARSAS, as well as through our Lighthouse Victim Care service.

“We’ve launched dynamic and high-profile campaigns over the past year including one focussing on dating apps and another highlighting all the unique work we’ve done to increase reporting of male rape.

“We’ve also publicised cases where we’ve achieved significant convictions for rape - including the horrific crimes of photographer Nigel Wilkinson who was jailed for more than 11 years after he drugged and raped two men at his home in Bristol.

“We want to deter offenders and most importantly give victims the courage to come forward and report offences to us, no matter how long ago offences were committed. Our message on this is clear: ‘You don’t have to tell us. Just tell someone'."