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Rape suspects left to roam streets as investigators sent to football matches instead

2024-08-22 00:00:00.0 每日快报-政治原网页

Police are under fire over their handling of rape cases (Image: Getty)

Rape suspects are being left to roam the streets because investigators are being diverted to staff football matches and festivals, a scathing report has found.

A report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) warned arrests were being delayed and appointments with victims cancelled due to staffing pressures.

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The inspection findings come after Home Office-funded Operation Soteria was launched in 2021 in a bid to overhaul and improve how police investigated sexual offences and rolled out across all forces in England and Wales last year.

Police officers are being drafted in to cover football matches and festivals (Image: Getty)

While too early to judge the programme's success, the watchdog looked at progress so far at nine forces who had adopted the measures since its launch and concluded "major changes are required for it to be successful on a national scale".

The report from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), published on Thursday, said: "In half the forces we inspected, Rasso (rape and serious sexual offences) personnel are routinely diverted to supporting events such as football matches and festivals.

"Forces should recognise that this means Rasso investigators end up cancelling appointments with victims or delaying arrests. It only adds to their workload pressure."

In nearly every force, "half of Rasso teams are personnel who aren't fully qualified and are still training", it added.

Making 14 recommendations for improvement to chief constables and bodies including the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing, Ms Skeer said: "For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have been failed by the criminal justice system. Many struggle to come forward, out of fear of not being believed or being unable to access support.

"It is crucial the police respond effectively to these devastating crimes. That's why Operation Soteria sets out a new approach and model in response, grounded in decades of research examining policing practice.

"Out of nine forces inspected so far, early signs of positive progress are being seen.

"But improvements are required to ensure Operation Soteria is implemented effectively.

"We recognise that forces are trying to make things better while dealing with high demand and limited resources.

"However, even with all these challenges, Soteria presents a major opportunity for the criminal justice system. We must keep up the momentum towards change and give victims the service they deserve."

Responding to the report, Andrea Simon, Executive Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW), said: "Disappointingly, the report highlights a lack of progress in tackling repeat offenders, with 1 in 4 sexual offences involving a repeat suspect.

"In addition, in nearly every police force inspected, half of rape investigation teams aren't fully qualified. Inexperienced and non-specialist officers should not be routinely investigating rape.

"We expect rapid improvements in the early identification of sexual offenders and proactive work to target repeat offenders to prevent further abuse.

"We also need to see the prioritisation of specialism in rape investigation, and greater consistency in the roll out of Soteria training for staff, to tackle rape myths, understand trauma, and help investigators reflect on their beliefs, behaviours and use of language."

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In May, then home secretary James Cleverly vowed to put more sex offenders behind bars after thousands of police officers were specially trained in investigating rapes in the wake of claims the offence had effectively become decriminalised.

At the time, the College of Policing said 4,540 officers in England and Wales had completed specialist training on investigating rape and sexual offences.

The College - the body responsible for police training - said officers had been trained in each of the 43 forces across the two nations but did not disclose how many officers per force have received the training.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "This government will make sure victims of rape or sexual abuse get the justice they deserve.

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