At the moment only a small proportion of rape investigations end with a successful prosecution, and cops think improved care will mean victims are confident enough to take their case to court.

Victims of sex attacks from all over the county will be brought to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre based at Crawley Hospital when it opens in July.

Detective Superintendent Graham Bartlett, the head of Sussex Police's specialist investigations unit, explained: "What has been seen in other parts of the country is the quality of service given to the victims is so high people feel happier to remain engaged in the criminal justice system.
"Rape is an offence that mostly has no or very few independent witnesses. Often it comes down to one person's word against another's. There are lots of ways we can investigate the issue of consent.

"If you don't have the confidence of the victim you can't rebut any claim of consent the defendant makes."

The secure centre will be manned 24 hours a day by a team of forensic doctors and nurses trained to gather evidence for police as well as caring for patients.

Victims will be able to go directly to the centre if they wish and will still be able to access the services even if they do not wish to co-operate with an investigation.