The first serious dedicated sexual assualts unit outside of London has been created at Fratton Police Station.

The unit - to be known as the Crystal Unit- is a Home Office funded project with the intention of uncovering more cases in the area.

It is led by a Detective Inspector, and is made up of six Detective Constables, two Detective Sergeants and four Sexual Offence Trained Investigators.

 It will also benefit from dedicated CPS lawyers who will work with the unit from an early stage in a bid to improve the strength of cases put before the courts.

Staff on the Crystal Unit will also be working closely with partnership agencies such as the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), known as Treetops, in Cosham, and Portsmouth City Council’s Early Intervention Project.

The aim of the Crystal Unit is to provide a dedicated, multi agency, gold standard service.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard John, who will oversee the unit said: “The Crystal Unit spells out our commitment to survivors of these terrible crimes. We want to give them the confidence to report serious sexual assaults to us, and to know that we will do our very best to bring offenders to justice.