RAPE charges targets set by the government are unlikely to be met for decades, shocking new figures have revealed.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) data released this week has revealed that it could take over 22 years for the Conservatives to deliver on their own target to restore rape charging levels to 2016 levels.

CPS data shows that at the end of 2020/21 there was an increase of 88 people charged with rape compared to the year before, with fewer than 2,000 charges across the entire year.

In the rape review published last month, the government pledged to meet the 2016 level target by the end of this parliament in three years.

CPS data shows that there has been a 50 per cent drop in rape charges in the last five years.

Labour shadow solicitor general Ellie Reeves said: “Rape victims are being failed by this Tory government, and these figures show just how badly.

“The time for piecemeal pilots and tinkering on the edges is over — rape victims cannot be left to wait decades for action.

“The government should urgently introduce Labour’s root-and-branch reforms to support rape victims, as set out in our ending violence against women and girls green paper.”

End Violence Against Women policy and campaigns leader Rebecca Hitchen said: “We have seen some big commitments made by government and justice departments in recent months when it comes to rape and violence against women and girls.

“What we need now is action, and the leadership that’s been absent for so long.

“Empty promises will not help the public regain their trust in a system that claims to protect them but in reality has let down thousands upon thousands of women and girls. We cannot be expected to wait several decades for improvement.”