Rape conviction rate 'not good enough'

Last Modified: 09 Jul 2008
Source: ITN

Police forces should set up specialist units to investigate rape allegations, a senior officer has said.

John Yates said the 6 per cent conviction rate was "not good enough" and insisted constabularies needed to put experts in charge of rape cases from start to finish.

The Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Association of Chief Police Officers' spokesman on rape, said there had been progress in recent years.

But he added: "What we are not seeing is the whole continuum of the investigation being managed in the best way.

"So what we are calling for is those task forces that are being set up - they are being set up in about ten forces now - we want to see that spread right across the country."

Mr Yates is to due to discuss the issue at a police conference along with Home Office minister Vernon Coaker.

Mr Coaker will promise to ensure that standards are applied consistently across different police forces following complaints of a "postcode lottery".

Nationally, only 15 per cent of rape victims report the crime, and more than two-thirds of those complaints do not make it to court.

The Government's plans include increasing the number of specialist centres for rape victims from 19 to 36 and running a trial scheme of supplying police forces with sexual violence advisers.

Ministers promised there would be 36 sexual assault referral centres by the end of next year, where rape victims can be taken for medical care, counselling and a forensic examination to aid the investigation.

Independent sexual violence advisers are to be trialled in 38 police forces. Their role will be to provide advocacy and support for victims.

Mr Coaker said: "Rape is one of the most serious and devastating crimes. We know that it remains under-reported and we are determined to improve this and increase the conviction rate.

"We have made great progress. Specially-trained officers and prosecutors now operate in every area, training and guidance for the police has been updated and a team of experts have visited every force to put together tailored action plans.

"The challenge now is to keep up the focus on this work and ensure that the policies and procedures that have been developed are being implemented consistently.

"Every force has a responsibility to ensure that every single officer who comes into contact with a rape victim is supportive and believes the victim. It may only take the raising of an eyebrow to cause her to lose courage."

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