ESSEX police commissioner Roger Hirst has welcomed government plans for sweeping reforms to increase the number of convictions for rape and improve support for victims.

The Government has pledged to reverse a big fall in the number of rape cases reaching court while boosting support for victims.

The plans include clear actions for the police, prosecutors and courts – to roll out a new approach to investigations, reduce the number of victims pulling out of the process, increase the number of trials being heard, protect the public and put more rapists behind bars.

The proposals aim to return the number of cases going to court to at least 2016 levels – when the decline in prosecutions began to appear.

The Government says each part of the criminal justice system will also be held to better account, with performance scorecards published every six months for the first time.

The action plan follows a review by the Government into how the criminal justice system handles rape.

It comes after charges, prosecutions and convictions for rape fell over the last five years.

One in two victims who report being raped withdraw from the investigation.

Ministers promised to do "everything possible to reverse these worrying trends and build back confidence in the system".

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC said: "Too many victims of rape and sexual violence have been denied the justice they deserve as a result of systemic failings.

"We are deeply sorry for this and will not rest until real improvements are made – from transforming the support given to victims, to ensuring cases are investigated fully and prosecuted robustly."

Essex police and crime commissioner Roger Hirst welcomed the move.

He said: “The number of rapes and sexual assaults that lead to a successful conviction is woefully low in Essex and this needs to change.

"I want victims to feel confident to report crime and we need to support them through the criminal justice system.

"Alongside this, I want to see stronger investigations being undertaken that then lead to more successful prosecutions.

“In Essex we have a dedicated strategic sexual abuse partnership which has a clear focus to have an effective criminal justice response for victims of sexual abuse.

"This means victims feel more confident about the criminal proceedings process and perpetrators are brought to justice."