THE number of cases of violence against women in the West Mercia region increased last year.

West Mercia Crown Prosecution Service handled 1,254 cases of violent offences against women in 2009-2010 – a rise of two per cent.

Of these cases, 976 were successfully prosecuted, which equates to a conviction rate of 78 per cent compared to the national average conviction rate of 72 per cent.

l 1,039 were domestic violence cases – 810 were successfully prosecuted, a conviction rate of 78 per cent l 59 were rape cases – 35 were successfully prosecuted, a conviction rate of 63 per cent l 159 were sexual offences (excluding rape) – 131 were successfully prosecuted, a conviction rate of 82 per cent.

The conviction rates are all above the national average.

Colin Chapman, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for West Midlands CPS, said: “Domestic violence is serious and destructive. It ruins lives, breaks up families and has a lasting impact.

“I would urge anyone who is a victim of any form of domestic or sexual abuse not to suffer in silence and come forward and report this to the police.

“My message to the perpetrators is very simple – what you are doing is a criminal offence, you will be caught and we will prosecute you robustly.”