Waiting lists at the only rape crisis centre in London are set to be slashed thanks to £1.1m of funding from the Mayor of London.

The cash will be spent setting up crisis centres in north, east and west London this year to take pressure off the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre(RASASC) in Croydon, which has been running at full capacity.

The centre faced a funding crisis before its future was secured by £260,000 of Mayoral money last year, which allowed it to double its helpline capacity and increase face-to-face counselling time by 30 per cent.

Fiona Elvines, RASASC operations co-ordinator, said: “It’s going to be fantastic for us. The biggest benefit is going to be for the women.

“It’s not so much going to cut our workload - we’re hoping more women will be coming forward for support and consultation they may be dealing with by themselves.”

The centre’s free helpline, 0808 802 9999, is open between noon and 2.30pm, and 7pm to 9.30pm throughout the year.