Police are delaying arresting rape suspects and cancelling appointments with victims, as officers are being sent to football matches and festivals instead, a watchdog has warned.
In a string of recommendations to forces in the UK, a report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), said in half of the forces it inspected, officers were “routinely diverted” away from rape and serious sexual offences (Rasso).
It added that in nearly every force “half of Rasso teams are personnel who aren’t fully qualified and are still training”.
The watchdog’s findings are part of Operation Soteria – a Home Office-funded scheme that was launched in 2021 in a bid to overhaul and improve how police in England and Wales investigated sexual offences.
So far, the watchdog concluded that at the nine forces who had adopted measures since the launch of Operation Soteria, “major changes” are required before the programme can be successful on a national level.
The proportion of suspects being taken to court for rape is also still among the lowest levels recorded, with a charge rate of 2.6%, according to the latest available government figures.
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The HMICFRS said forces sending officers to support entertainment events should be able to recognise that “this means Rasso investigators end up cancelling appointments with victims or delaying arrests. It only adds to their workload pressure”.
Giving 14 recommendations for improvement to chief constables and bodies including the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing, Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: “For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have been failed by the criminal justice system.
“It is crucial the police respond effectively to these devastating crimes.
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“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.”
Back in May, former 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.
Responding to the report, a Home Office spokesperson said it would “carefully consider the recommendations” and work with police to make the changes victims deserve.
The College of Policing has been contacted by PA for comment.
