Keir Starmer QC, Director of Public Prosecutions, said: “Crimes against women include some of the most pernicious and degrading offences that we prosecute.

“It is important for victims of these crimes that we continue to improve the service that we deliver, both within the CPS and with our partners in the criminal justice system. We are also getting much better at building cases with the police, and we have seen a significant increase in the numbers of guilty pleas which not only means cases are dealt with more quickly, but the victim is spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

“The number of guilty pleas per year has risen from 38,495 to 60,352.”

Starmer said the CPS had issued new guidance on stalking and harassment, and consulted on guidance relating to retraction of rape allegations, in the last year, and was now working with young people’s charities to raise awareness on domestic abuse offences.