The number of crimes punished using restorative measures – criticised as "delivering justice on the cheap" – reached almost 10,000 in Devon and Cornwall last year.
New figures released by Devon and Cornwall showed 9,487 cases were dealt with in 2013-14 without going through the formal justice system.
They included one case of rape, 52 other sexual offences, 53 burglaries, 17 offences of drug trafficking and just over 2,700 crimes of violence.
The total represents a third of the 28,809 offences detected by the force in 2013-14. The rate was also up 11.6% compared to 2012-13.
Concerns about the appropriate use of restorative justice, which can include a written apology, paying for damage and unpaid community work, have been growing.
Labour has said it would ban the used of restorative justice for sexual offences and domestic violence.
Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw said restorative justice had its place but that it should be restricted to "a limited range of crimes".
"The public's trust that those who break the law will be punished is a fundamental element of our system," he said. "As is seeking to prevent those who do commit crime from carrying on along that path.
"Restorative justice can play a part in achieving both of these aims – community payback, offenders contributing to society, and victims being able to see reparation for the harm they have suffered.
"However, this huge increase in the use of restorative justice measures for violent crime over the last three years is not complementary to these pillars of making our justice system work effectively.
"Devon and Cornwall Police are under immense pressure to cut costs and maintain services, but this cannot be done by delivering justice on the cheap.
"Restorative justice measures are appropriate for a limited range of crimes, and the Home Secretary must ensure police forces are getting enough support to enable those limits to be adhered to."
Shadow Home Affairs Minister Steve Reed said: "The use of restorative justice can be very effective in tackling anti-social behaviour and low level crime, but the evidence and guidance are very clear that it should be used for low level crimes only.
"To use it for anything outside of this category risks undermining public confidence in the police, the justice system and the value of restorative justice itself.
"It is very worrying that these methods are being used to deal with serious crimes like sexual assault and even rape. This is not fair on victims and undermines confidence in the justice system. That is why Labour is committed to banning the use of community resolutions for sexual and domestic violence.
"Those who commit serious crimes should be under illusion that they will get away with just saying sorry"
Since September 2011 four cases of rape had been dealt with by means of restorative justice, according to figures released by Devon and Cornwall Police under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
It was also used to conclude 173 other sexual offences, 50 cases where people were caught carrying weapons, some 4,400 instances of shoplifting and 3,375 violent attacks in which victims were injured.
Devon and Cornwall Police failed to respond to repeated requests for comment.
But in its FOI response it said: "Each use of restorative justice is in consultation with the victim, admission of the offence by the offender and agreement – based on risk, harm and vulnerability – that it is proportionate to use this approach.
"It is essential that the offender accepts responsibility for their actions.
"The use of restorative disposal is therefore based on victim impact, rather than a crime label. This is because often the national crime recording standards do not necessarily reflect the impact of the crime on the victim.
"This is either by appearing to be a 'low-level' crime with high victim impact, or to have been a 'significant' crime type but with lesser victim impact.
"There are strict controls around the use of restorative disposals for sexual offences and for offences around 'domestic' incidents."
