DURHAM -- A March report from the State's Attorney General puts the city at the top of a list the mayor doesn't want.

The report reveals that there were more than 15,000 untested sexual assault kits between July and December 2017, and local law enforcement never sent them to the state to be tested.

Durham had the highest number with more than 1,700 untested kits. Mayor Steve Schewel wants answers.

“This is very concerning to me. It's something that I've never heard before,” says Mayor Schewel. “I want to know from the city manager, from the police department why we have this large backlog.”

Durham police say state guidelines dictate why they don't send some kits to be tested. They say cases are resolved or either dismissed before testing is needed.

“The offender claimed consent, so he or she admitted to engaging with this person, but may be denying any force involved in that,” says Chief Deputy Anthony Marsh.

But Marsh says the department doesn't throw away any kits, even if they are untested.

 “We retain those kits. If I'm not mistaken, we retain them for life.”

Mayor Schewel believes there's a logical explanation for the high number, but wants to make sure. He says it's important residents don't get the wrong message on how Durham Police handle sex crimes.

“We want everybody in Durham to be safe and that especially, in this case, includes women. That is a message we want to send throughout our community.”