Rape cases delayed because police are sent to football matches – regulator

A watchdog has found that investigations into rape cases are being delayed because officers are sent to football matches and police parties.

The report by His Majesty's Inspector General Michelle Skeer examined nine police forces as part of efforts to improve the investigation of rape and serious sexual offences (RAS).

It states: “Half of the forces we inspected regularly have Rasso personnel deployed to support events such as football matches and festivals.”

Ms Skeer concluded that improvements at a national level would require “major change” but that the armed forces were trying to do so while “struggling with high demand and limited resources”.

She also said police must recognize that sending officers to other events only increases their workload because “racist investigators end up canceling appointments with victims or delaying arrests.”

Their report found that in almost all police forces, half of the investigation teams consisted of people who were “not fully qualified and still in training”.

She made 14 recommendations to the security forces and other police authorities, but acknowledged that there were initial signs of progress in dealing with the Rasso cases.

Your findings come after the Ministry of the Interior launched Operation Soteria in 2021 The aim was to improve police investigations in such cases.

The programme was introduced across all police forces in England and Wales last year and the new report examines progress to date across nine police forces.

The proportion of suspects accused of rape remains one of the lowest levels ever at 2.6 percent, according to the latest government figures.

Ms Skeer added: “For far too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have been failed by the criminal justice system. Many find it difficult to come forward for fear of not being believed or of not getting help.

“It is vital that police respond effectively to these devastating crimes. That is why Operation Soteria is taking a new approach and response model, based on decades of research examining police practices.”

In an interview with BBC Today on Thursday, Ms Skeer said the new “victim-centred” approach would “transform” the way police deal with rape and serious sexual offences.

However, she acknowledged that “system-wide” changes were needed to address resource shortages, including a lack of available investigators and analysts.

“But there is reason for hope,” she said.

“This new approach could be really promising, but it needs dynamism and change.”

A statement from the Home Office said: “This government will ensure that victims of rape or sexual abuse get the justice they deserve.”

“While we welcome the progress that is being made, in far too many cases victims are being let down. That is why it is so important that the police continue to make lasting improvements and put offenders behind bars.”

Last week a woman received £35,000 in compensation after rape charges were dropped because it was claimed she had suffered an episode of “sexsomnia.”