Katrine Bussey

Scotland's top law officer said yesterday that the conviction rate for rape is "clearly too low".

Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini spoke out as the expert advisory group on sexual crime she established met for the first time in Edinburgh.

Figures for 2006-07 showed 2.9% of cases where a rape was reported to the police resulted in a conviction - down from the previous rate of 3.9%.

A total of 922 rapes were reported to the police that year, with 27 convictions.

Ms Angiolini said: "The conviction rate for rape remains a cause for concern, it is clearly too low." But she added: "I am committed to ensuring that the prosecution service remains at the heart of reform in this area."

The group includes prosecutors, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and Rape Crisis Scotland, to consider how best rapes and other sex crimes can be investigated and prosecuted.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Rape is a despicable and sickening crime and those who commit such offences must be prosecuted and punished and society protected.

"I will shortly be bringing a bill to parliament to strengthen the law on rape and other sexual offences, while the police and prosecution services have been undertaking a significant amount of work to ensure that cases are investigated and prepared for trial to the highest possible standards."