GWENT Police's specialist unit for handling serious sexual and violent crimes is one of the best in the country, top law chiefs said.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve and Solicitor General Edward Garnier were given a tour of the Gwent CPS and learned how the Onyx Unit is helping boost conviction rates for rape cases, as well as the number of victims coming forward.

Mr Grieve said: "Onyx is delivering substantial change in conviction rates for rape and domestic violence which puts it up with leading examples in the country."

Onyx was formed in April 2009 and consists of 22 detective constables, four detective sergeants and headed by a detective inspector.

Prior to this, rape cases were investigated by CID officers.

Now, all rape complainants get a face-to-face consultation and officers and the CPS have weekly meetings with rape specialists who advise them on cases on matters such as lines of enquiry and where more evidence can be found.

The aim is to build a strong case, thereby reassuring complainants that all reports of rape will be taken seriously and, wherever possible, a conviction will be secured.

In 2008/09, there were 46 rape prosecutions in Gwent, 27 resulted in convictions and 19 were unsuccessful. In 2009/10, there were 38 convictions and 31 unsuccessful attempts to prosecute.

Between April and December 2010, there were 29 successful and 18 unsuccessful prosecutions.

Mr Grieve added: "We've always known they (rape and domestic abuse) are under-reported offences, one reason is people have very low expectations if they do report it, it will lead to anything. On the evidence we've seen, Onyx is key to that."