The number of sexual offences on trains and tubes reported to the police has more than doubled in the last five years, figures show.

According to data from the British Transport Police, which was obtained following a freedom of information request from BBC Radio 5, the reported offences reached 1,448 in 2016-17, up from 650 in 2012-2013.

The reports covered England, including the London Underground, Scotland and Wales. Most of the incidents recorded were sexual assaults on females aged 13 and above.

However, the rise in reported offences doesn't necessarily mean that women are more at risk than they were a few years ago. The British Transport Police says it's likely campaigns to raise awareness have led to a more frequent reporting of offences.

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'When the 'Report It To Stop It' campaign launched, we fully expected to record a rise in sexual offences and, though it is clearly a concern that so many people are affected by this type of crime, it is pleasing that previously reluctant victims of sexual offences now have the confidence to report this to us,' Detective Chief Inspector Darren Malpas told Cosmopolitan.

'Tackling all forms of unwanted sexual behaviour on public transport is a priority for British Transport Police and we have worked hard in recent years to send a clear message to victims that they will be taken seriously and we will investigate offences.'

Launched in 2015, the Report It To Stop It campaign encourages passengers to report unwanted sexual behaviour to the police, a move which Rachel Krys, co-director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, has welcomed.

'It is really important that these campaigns continue,' she told the BBC. 'When the scale of sexual violence is better understood, police forces take it more seriously and measures can be taken to reduce the risks to women and tackle perpetrators, who for too long had been acting with impunity.'

We encourage people to report any form of behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable

She added that the research highlights the peak time for offences, which often happen during rush hour. 'These figures showed that it is sober men, travelling to and from work who thought they were entitled to assault women passengers, and that they would get away with it,' Krys said.

The rise in reported incidents comes after the BTP introduced a text message service in 2013, which aims to provide passengers with a discreet way to report offences. As DCI Malpas advises, it's important to report any kind of unwanted sexual behaviour as soon as possible.

'We encourage people to report any form of behaviour that makes them feel uncomfortable – that could be rubbing, leering, sexual comments, indecent acts or more serious sexual assault,' he said.

'It is really important that people report any kind of unwanted sexual behaviour to us as soon as possible – time is of the essence so we can exploit all evidence gathering opportunities. Every report, with as much detail as possible helps to build a picture of the offender.'

If you are a victim of a sexual offence on trains or the underground, BTP say you can text them in confidence on 61016. For more information and support, visit www.btp.police.uk.

From: Cosmopolitan UK