Rape reports in London bars soar 136%

Reports of rape across London’s bars, pubs and clubs have increased 136% over the last five years, according to police figures.

Allegations of rape in London’s nightlife venues have more than doubled since 2011

According to figures obtained by Broadly through a freedom of information request to the Metropolitan Police, incidents of alleged sexual offences have soared between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2016.

While reports of rape grew 136% in the time period, incidents of other alleged sexual offences, including sexual assault, shot up 119%.

Figures also show a sharp rise in arrests made across the city’s nightlife venues in relation to alleged rape and sexual offences. Arrests following sexual offence reports grew 66%, while arrests specifically in relation to rape increased 90%.

Around 32% of those arrested on suspicion of rape had criminal charges brought against them between 2015 and 2016.

At the end of last year, The Spirits Business explored the often overlooked issue of sexual harassment in bars. Read the feature in full here.