The Crown Prosecution Service denies changing its policies on rape, despite allegations that it changed tack in late 2016.
The number of convictions for rape has dropped by more than a quarter in a year - amid allegations the offence is being "effectively decriminalised".
There were 1,925 convictions for rape or an alternative lesser offence in 2018-19 - down from 2,635 in the previous 12 months, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
The charge rate has also dropped significantly - down from 64.3% in 2014-15 to 48.2% this year.
There has also been a fall in the number of rape suspects referred by the police to the CPS for a decision on charging - down from 4,370 in 2017-18 to 3,375 in 2018-19 - a decline of 22.8%.
Harriet Wistrich, founder of the Centre for Women's Justice (CWJ), described the figures as "appalling", tweeting: "We say fault lies first and foremost with (the) CPS."
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Rape 'effectively decriminalised' as convictions fall by 27%
The Crown Prosecution Service denies changing its policies on rape, despite allegations that it changed tack in late 2016.
news.sky.com