SUFFOLK police has launched a campaign today in support of National Rape Awareness Week.Posters containing messages such as 'Rape - short word, long sentence' and 'Let your hair down, not your guard' will be distributed across various locations in the county.

SUFFOLK police has launched a campaign today in support of National Rape Awareness Week.

Posters containing messages such as 'Rape - short word, long sentence' and 'Let your hair down, not your guard' will be distributed across various locations in the county.

Latest figures show that alcohol is a contributing factor in two thirds of rapes reported in Suffolk, so police are keen to highlight the issue of rape in relation to the consumption of alcohol. Men are urged to avoid committing these types of offences, and women from making themselves vulnerable, especially in the lead up to the festive season.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Luckett said: 'Suffolk is a safe place to live, but we would just like to remind people to take care whilst they are out enjoying themselves and that men should not take advantage of women who may be vulnerable through alcohol consumption.

'Our figures show that in 61pc of reported rapes, alcohol has been consumed by both the victim and the offender, and in 84pc of recorded rapes, the victim knows the offender. In virtually all other cases there has been some contact between the victim and offender in the previous 24 hours. Although we do not want to stop people having fun in the lead up to Christmas, we would urge men and women to drink responsibly and get home safely.'

Suffolk police said it recognises that rape conviction rates remain low in Suffolk as well as nationally and said there is a lot of work being done to improve it.

The force said it is committing to tackling rapes, bringing the offenders to justice and preventing them from committing further offences.