Reports of sexual assault on London Underground have risen by almost a third in twelve months, new figures show.

Statistics released by British Transport Police (BTP) show sexual offences have soared by 32 per cent from 429 crimes in 2013/14 to 567 in 2014/14.

The total number of violent crimes have also risen across the train network with an additional 724 crimes committed during the same period, representing an 8.6 per cent increase.

However, overall crime across the network has fallen for an 11th year in a row with 46,688 offences committed compared to more than 50,000 in the twelve months before.

Other notable reductions include robbery and fraud, both down by 18 per cent, theft of railway and a 16 per cent reduction in theft of personal property, which includes smartphones and tablets.

Senior chiefs at BTP said the rise of sex assaults was expected following a campaign last year which encouraged victims to come forward and report incidents.

Detective chief constable Adrian Hanstock, said: "The increased reports we received of sexual offences being committed on trains and tubes, revealed by Project Guardian, made it abundantly clear this issue was a significant concern for people yet was considerably underreported.

"Last year we asked people to tell us about their experiences so we can do more, and that is exactly what they have done."

Since 2003/2004, Robbery has fallen by 86 per cent, meaning there is less than one incident a day across the UK's train network, compared to six offences a day 11 years ago.

DCC Hanstock said the rise in violent crime was a concern, but said most of the cases were minor assaults such as pushing and shoving.

He added: "The rise in violent crime is a concern, but is also worth noting, again, that the chances of being a victim of any crime are small.

"The use of more officers patrolling late-night trains and at peak periods, as well as our extensive CCTV network is helping to halt this rise.

"What is worrying is that in a disproportionate amount of these offences, it is police officers or railway staff that are the victims of assault, often as a result of their intervention in seemingly ordinary incidents such as non-payment of fares or petty anti-social behaviour."

From April 2014 to March this year, BTP responded to almost 6,000 incidents involving self-harm, and directly intervened with the help of the public and rail staff in 935 life-saving incidents.