Police ‘culture of disbelief’ over rape claims

Almost 1,500 reported allegations of rape were classified by police forces last year as “no crimes”.

The revelation emerges from new analysis of data by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

It found that 400 rape claims were ultimately designated as “no crimes” by six forces in England and Wales.

Lincolnshire had the highest record, a 33 per cent “no crime” rate, followed by Leicestershire, Hertfordshire and the West Midlands. The average across 43 police forces is 12 per cent.

HMIC inspector Dru Sharpling said there is a suspicion that those forces with high rates may have still have “a culture of disbelief”.

More confident

HMIC has for the first time analysed trends for each police force over the past five years for dealing with both child and adult rape.

The number of recorded rapes has steadily increased since March 2008, and in the last financial year there were 6,000 recorded child rapes and around 10,000 adult rapes.

We need to make sure that victims of rape have total confidence in every stage of a criminal justice system. Norman Baker, Home Office minister

HMIC say the increase may be down to victims feeling more confident in reporting what happened.

But for 10 forces the figures were down since 2009 – almost 25 per cent in the case of West Midlands, which last year recorded 366 adult rape allegations.

Even though the government has scrapped targets, HMIC said there is a lingering performance culture that is difficult to break.

Video below: TV Presenter Charlie Webster, who was sexually abused aged 15 and is running 250 miles to raise money for Women’s Aid, tells Channel 4 News the recent figures on how rape allegations are treated by police, reveal a wider attitude of “victim blaming” in society.

“It’s not just the act of rape. It’s afterwards,” he said. “The person that’s been raped has to live with the feeling that they’ve been taken advantage of. They also have a lot of guilt, there’s a lot of self-blame. And it’s not their fault… What we should be doing is saying why does a guy think it’s ok to rape someone?”

‘Massaging’ the figures

Lincolnshire and Leicestershire forces, which recorded the highest “no crime” rate, are to be subjected to what HMIC term “integrity inspections” to examine recording practices.

Last November the public administration select committee heard claims from police whistleblowers that it was common practice to “massage” crime figures.

It is my view that allegations of rape should be recorded as a crime when it is reported without question or challenge. Chief Constable Jeff Farrar

National Policing Lead for Crime Recording Chief Constable Jeff Farrar said:

“To build people’s confidence in the way police deal with sexual offences, it is my view that allegations of rape should be recorded as a crime when it is reported without question or challenge.

“This will help provide a consistent approach across the country that is supportive and victim-centred

Home Office Minister Norman Baker said:

“We need to make sure that victims of rape have total confidence in every stage of a criminal justice system.

“Transparency and accountability are at the heart of our approach. The release of this comprehensive set of data means police forces and PCCs will now be able to monitor their performance and drive improvements so that more victims come forward and more perpetrators are brought to justice.”