Police choose not to investigate rape complaints more often than any other type of violent crime, as one in nine allegations is “written off”, new analysis shows.

Figures from the Home Office show police believe “no crime” took place following 11 percent of rape complaints.

In contrast, allegations are not investigated in just two percent of reported burglaries, three percent of drugs complaints, five percent of robberies and six percent of non-sexual assaults.

Earlier this year, a study by the Criminal Justice Joint Inspection team found pressure to keep recorded cases to a “minimum” may lead forces to write off too many allegations as “no crime” incidents.

The data comes amid fresh controversy over the high-profile allegations of sexual assault facing Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks - accusations that he strongly denies.

Mr Assange is currently holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy fighting extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over two incidents.

George Galloway, the Respect MP, also caused furore by suggesting Mr Assange has been accused of no more than bad "sexual etiquette".

Mr Galloway, speaking in a 30 minute video blog on Sunday, said the allegations levelled against Mr Assange could not be considered rape.

He said: "Even taken at its worst, if the allegations made by these two women were true, 100 percent true, and even if a camera in the room captured them, they don't constitute rape. At least not rape as anyone with any sense can possibly recognise it. "

Mr Galloway was condemned for his comments by women's rights groups, who said he was misrepresenting the law on rape.

Women's groups have also been protesting this week about comments from Todd Akin, a Republican congressman, who said victims of "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant.

(Read by CJ Henderson. CJ Henderson is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)