POLICE say an increase in rapes and sexual assaults are expected during the festive period.

Latest figures show that five rapes and 17 sexual assaults have been reported to police in the last two months.

Investigations are ongoing with no arrests made at this stage.

Campaign ‘Rape Shatters Lives’ is part of a police clampdown on sex offences.

Ass Chf Con Ruth Purdie said: "Our message is clear - anyone who uses force to have sex with another person is committing a criminal offence.

“Everyone has the right to say no to sex - without consent, sex with another person is rape.

"We want to reassure victims of rape that we are committed to getting justice for them.

Rape is a distressing act and officers, when they are investigating allegations of rape will not accept excuses from offenders for their actions.

“The law is clear − no means no.”

Since the dedicated rape unit was established at Cheshire Police more than a year ago, there have been 313 cases of rape recorded.

Detection rates for rape have risen by 5.7 per cent from June to November against last year’s figures.

Ass Chf Con Purdie added: “"We need to make it socially unacceptable for people to think that they can offer an excuse as a means of mitigating their actions when they are charged with an offence of rape or sexual assault.

“There are no excuses for rape or sexual violence and those who normalise, deny or blame the victim for their own actions must understand that making excuses for themselves or their friends who have used force to get what they wanted will not be tolerated."

Cheshire Police is urging more victims to come forward.

To report a sexual offence call 101, or 999 in an emergency.

For more information go to cheshire.police.uk