Fewer than one per cent of people accused of threatening to share sexual photographs appeared in court last year.

Data released by Wiltshire Police under the Freedom of Information Act shows that last year, just two people accused of disclosing, or makes threats to disclose, private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress, blackmail or voyeurism ended up being charged or receiving a summons or postal requisition.

This is out of 264 reports to Wiltshire Police – meaning 0.7 per cent of reports end up in court.

But the force has said “almost every single case” involves perpetrators outside the UK.

The statistics show that in 2021, the majority of cases (61.7 per cent) reported to Wiltshire Police ended up with no suspect identified.

In a further 49 cases (18.6 per cent), there is a named suspect and the victim supports action, but “evidential difficulties” prevent a charge.

It means that no further action was taken in almost 96 per cent of reported cases of the three offences in Wiltshire last year.

It comes as data reveals that reports of sexual offences in Swindon have reached a five-year high.

Data from the Office for National Statistics shows Wiltshire Police recorded 683 sexual offences in Swindon in the year to March, up from 554 the previous year and the highest since 2017.

Ruth Davison, CEO of domestic abuse charity Refuge, said: "We need system-wide reform to ensure that survivors are supported and believed when they make the brave choice to report the abuse they’ve experienced and the crimes committed against them.”

Reacting to the sexual photographs statistics, Wiltshire Police’s head of public protection, Detective Superintendent Ben Mant said: “Whilst we record all such offences appropriately and in line with national legislation, in almost every single case the perpetrators are located outside the UK.

“They will frequently pose online as young women and will encourage the victim to exchange intimate images of themselves. They then threaten to send the images to all the victim’s contacts on social media unless payment is made.

“We do investigate all of these offences, but we normally establish very quickly that the suspects are outside of our jurisdiction and in reality, that makes a prosecution impossible.

“Our focus remains on supporting the victims in these cases who are often incredibly distressed.  Safeguarding them is the absolute priority as we recognise the impact this offence can have on them and their families.

“If there are any local lines of enquiries linked to these cases we will, of course, investigate these appropriately.”