ONLY one in three people who appear in Wiltshire courts charged with rape are convicted. Of the 32 defendants in rape cases, only nine were successfully sentenced, latest figures reveal, a 28 per cent conviction rate.

The scale of problem reflected nationwide with an average rape conviction rate of just 22 per cent has prompted new action by the Govern-ment.

Ministers are desperate to increase the hit rate on sex offenders and encourage more victims to come forward and report their ordeals to police.

The Home Office has drafted new rules to improve the way the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) handles cases, in a bid to secure more convictions.

Solicitor General Harriet Harman said that she would be employing a network of specialist prosecutors across the country, made up of only the most senior barristers.

She said that all criminal justice regions, including Wiltshire, should only employ "experienced, sensitive and competent" people for the role.

And under the changes, consent of two prosecutors will be needed if a rape case is to be dropped.

Victims will be able to meet prosecuting lawyers and demand an explanation for any decision to discontinue cases.

If the victim pulls out of a case, an investigation will be carried out to find if the suspected rapist has nobbled the trial and applied pressure for the allegation to be withdrawn.

Ms Harman said that she hoped the revamp would increase public confidence in the prosecution system.

The number of rapes reported in 2002 the most recent figures available was 11,441, but there were only 992 trials, with 700 convictions.

And many victims still feared going to the police or following the case through, Ms Harman said.

She added: "Rape is still less likely to be reported, less likely to result in a charge and less likely to be prosecuted than other serious crimes."