MPS investigations of rape offences - update

Report: 12
Date: 13 February 2006
By: Commissioner

Summary

The attached report shows the findings from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) review into rape investigation and victim care. Members are asked to support the recommendations.

A. Recommendation

That Members support the recommendations.

B. Supporting information

Progress on MPS Rape Review

Clarification of Haven data in relation to vulnerable victim dual diagnosis

1. The following clarification has been received from the Havens: The management report presented at the Haven Strategic Board was an example of how data could be presented to the Board in the future. The purpose of providing this draft report was to get the Board's views on content and presentation. However, it was recognised and explained at the Board meeting that there was an error in the ‘Client History’ graph: The statistics appeared to say that up to 90% of Haven clients have a psychiatric, self harm or domestic violence history or a learning disability.

2. This is inaccurate because:

1. The graph shows percentages and the layout does not account for double counting where a patient has got more than one client history category applying to them (e.g. a client with a psychiatric history might also self harm), and
2. The Havens collect all data regardless of the time the problem occurred and of the relevance to the recent assault (e.g. client might have lived in an abusive relationship but left and 10 years later is being sexually assaulted by a stranger).

Any interpretation of statistics therefore needs to be qualified.

3. The Haven managers agreed to redraft this section for the next Board meeting in March 2006. However, looking at the Paddington statistics July to October the following transpires:

4. Therefore on average over this time period there are:

• 53.75% of clients with no history,
• 18% with history in more than one area and
• 28.25% of clients with history in one area

(areas are learning difficulties, domestic violence, psychiatric history, self harm and physical disability). In the case of Camberwell there were 171 incidences effecting 112 clients (64 clients with one incidence, 37 clients with two incidences and 11 clients with three incidences).

5. At the time of report these figures were not available from Whitechapel, however, it is not expected that their figures would be at variance.

6. Action: Evaluation to ensure that the standards set are being achieved and also to gain further information which could help the service to improve the investigation of rape and the treatment of victims of sexual assault. To be carried out in April 2006 by a student from Leicester University.

Recommendations in response to the issues raised in the MPS Rape Review

7. The following can be found in the attached document ‘A Review of Rape Investigations in the MPS’ in Section 14 ‘Summary of Main Recommendations’

8. Recommendation - That monitoring of victim attendance at the Havens should be part of a case tracking process designed to identify the contribution of Havens to reducing attrition and improving the prosecution/conviction rate.

9. Action: Interviews for a Detective Sergeant to take a dedicated lead on setting up a case tracking system occurred on 26 January 2006. Case tracking will encompass compliance review from first report through to case closure, not just prosecution tracking. This will ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and improve the understanding of victim care/citizen focus issues, in particular in relation to vulnerable victims who present with mental health, alcohol and disabilities. Professors Liz Kelly and Betsy Stanko will have specific input to the development of the tracking system so that findings can be used to identify and address attrition issues.

Recommendations regarding the monitoring of rape allegations and issues arising in the kinds of rapes reported to the MPS

10. That further work with relevant partners – in the first instance establishing a better understanding of the mental health and alcohol-related issues – address the impact of these issues on the vulnerability of rape victims in London.

11. Action: It appears that such cases experience several problems during the investigation, and this may in turn affect the outcome of the case. In order to improve this situation it is necessary to identify best practice and also factors that have hampered the investigation and share this across the MPS. Sapphire Intelligence Unit is currently creating an analytical problem profile around victims of sexual assault who suffer with learning difficulties or mental health problems and this will be broadened to include alcohol related incidents.

12. Special interest seminars have been devised for Sapphire investigators and Sexual Offences Investigative Techniques (SOITs) in advance of bespoke training courses. These commence in March 2006 and include input from National Health Service (NHS) psychologists within Havens and wider NHS perspectives on drug and alcohol abuse and its impact on victims.

13. Sapphire support the proposal of Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) managers of changes to the law that would allow expert evidence to be introduced on victim impact issues.

14. Extending invitations by the Sapphire Independent Advisory Group (IAG) to mental health and drug/alcohol support agencies is on the agenda for the IAG meeting 18 January 2006.

15. The Detective Inspector with lead responsibility for Policy and Partnership within Sapphire will develop specific health service contacts for each area and incorporate this into a plan for training and prevention in partnership with the Home Office and key strategic partners.

16. Existing case tracking proposals will identify the presence of each factor within reported allegations.

Recommendations for minimum standards for investigation of rape allegations

17. That the authority to use ‘No Crime’ and ‘Not Crime’ as classifications, and the use of Non-Sanctioned Detection to show a detected crime, be vested solely within one corporate centre, Territorial Policing (TP) Crime under Project Sapphire.

18. Action: This will take place from Performance year 2006/07 to ensure corporate accuracy in crime management data. An increase in Budgeted Workforce Target (BWT) has been approved for Project Sapphire to accommodate this.

19. That the setting of a non-sanctioned detection rate target be removed from the Policing Plan and investigations and policing energy be focussed on reducing attrition and bringing offenders to justice.

20. Action: This awaits confirmation of discussions between MPA and MPS for approval.

21. That performance measurement be identified alongside detection rates that better reflect victim satisfaction in the rape investigation process.

22. Action: The Internal Consultancy Group (ICG) review of Havens in May 2005 included results of victim satisfaction surveys with the service provided by the Havens and SOITs with a recommendation that these be conducted annually. In the absence now of ICG, a university student under the supervision of Sapphire is undertaking this ongoing research. Existing victim care packs include the facility for feedback on services provided and this will be amended to include feedback for police roles also.

Recommendation that case tracking and counsel feedback include monitoring of cases where special measures have been deployed

23. It is recommended that case tracking and counsel feedback include monitoring of cases where special measures have been deployed to see what impact on the prosecution case this has had, and the impact on the victim’s evidence and meeting the needs of the victim.

24. Action: This will be part of the case tracking proposals as above.

Recommendations regarding attrition

25. That Performance Information Bureau (PIB) separates the performance figures for borough and SCD(5) Serious Crime Directorate Child Abuse Investigation Teams (CAIT) in rape allegations to allow transparency in performance.

26. Action: PIB will now separate this data to show borough by borough breakdowns for CAIT and TP recorded allegations/detections and linked data.

27. That a viable case tracking system be introduced that monitors compliance with Standard Operating Procedures and attrition.

28. Action: Case Tracker post to be selected on 26 January 2006.

Recommendations regarding strengthening rape investigation.

29. That borough rape performance be subject to the same level scrutiny by the TP Link Commanders as is current practice around the monitoring of performance on volume crime.

30. Action: This will be led by Link Commanders across their clusters and through the quarterly Crime and Control Strategy Meeting (CCSM) which now incorporate performance in rape investigation as a main agenda item, and supported by central intervention by TP Commander Crime accountability meetings with under performing Borough Operational Command Units (BOCUs).

31. That TP-Sapphire work with key strategic partners to develop a bespoke training programme for investigating detectives and supervisors that is based on the lessons drawn from an analysis of the complexities of the kinds of rape incidents identified by this review.

32. Action: Sapphire are already working alongside National Investigative Training section of the National Specialist Law Enforcement Centre in Bedford (Skills for Justice), which has already seen the joint development of an Integrated Competency Framework for SOITs and will shortly produce one for rape investigators.

33. The Crime Academy at Hendon is engaged in developing a specific sexual offences element to detective training. In the interim, three courses of two-day seminars have been developed for key priorities that include the Review findings, mental health and alcohol, forensic advances, CPS and NHS related issues.

34. That the MPS reconsider the realignment of Sapphire, Community Safety Units, Child Abuse Investigation, Operation Jigsaw (MAPPA) and Operation Compass (Missing Persons) into borough Public Protection Units. The Units need to be centrally driven and locally delivered in line with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary findings. By not losing focus on remits to specific communities, the MPS will ensure overarching management, intelligence and a performance review structure to add value to the protection of the public in London.

35. Action: The Public Protection Command (PPC) has been agreed in principal. Presently meetings chaired by Stephen Rimmer, Director of Modernisation, Strategy and Performance Directorate, into the ‘Modernisation Programme for Public Protection’ have taken place with internal/external stakeholders. A range of options on how the PPC is to be progressed has been tabled and circulated for discussion.

Summary of Performance

36. A review of rape investigations in the MPS was conducted in 2005. The full findings can be found in the published review document. In relation to performance, a thorough statistical analysis was conducted whereby all the allegations of rape reported between April and May 2005 were analysed producing the following information.

37. 677 allegations of rape were reported as having occurred in London during April and May 2005, and by the end of June 2005:

• 134 (19.8%) were recorded as ‘Not Crime’
• 32 (4.7%) were recorded as ‘No Crime’
• 511 (75.5%) were recorded as crimes
• 68 (10.0%) were recorded as false allegations (and are recorded as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ above)

38. ‘No Crime’ is where a notifiable offence has been classified on the Crime Report Information System (CRIS) and a decision is then made that this should not have been recorded as a crime.

39. ‘Not Crime’ is a means of recording a crime-related incident on the CRIS but in circumstances where it does not amount to a notifiable offence. In cases of rape, where details are provided anonymously for intelligence purposes, usually by a Haven where the victim does not want an allegation of rape investigated, they are recorded as ‘Not Crime’.

40. There is a difference in the rate of ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ between male (58) and female (619) complainants allegations. Whilst only 23% (143) of female complainants’ allegations were recorded as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’, 41% (24) of male complainant allegations recorded as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’. A number of issues appear to drive the higher ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate of men’s allegations. Charges were more often changed to ‘other sexual offences’ i.e. not rape but other forms of criminal sexual assault and a higher number of false complaints linked to mental health issues were recorded with male complainants. The social issues in male rape cases are arguably similar but more acute than with female victims. Advice from those who have experience of supporting the victims of male rape suggest that men may be even more reluctant to report or sustain allegations of rape than women. The social stigma attached to male rape is considered by some to be even worse, with its connotations of homosexuality, than female rape. These hypotheses are speculative.

41. 28% (16) of the male victims and 17% (108) of the female victims alleging rape were noted to have mental health issues. This was defined for the purpose of these figures as when it was noted that the officer recorded that the victim had ‘learning difficulties’, ‘impaired mental development’, ‘psychiatric illness’ or where a third party confirmed a mental health issue. 56% (9) of the male victim allegations with mental health issues were recorded as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’. This was the case for 42% (45) of female victim allegations where mental health issues were noted.

42. 35% (235) of all the rape allegations reviewed involved victims who were shown on the CRIS as having been drinking immediately prior to the offence being committed.

43. Of victims who contact the police, 13% (85) did so because they were ‘unsure’ whether rape had taken place or not. Alcohol appears to play a role here with 69% of rape victims who were unsure as to whether sexual intercourse had taken place having been drinking.

44. Incidents where the victim cannot recall what happened clearly pose problems to any investigation. In cases where victims had been drinking and were unsure what happened (they had little or no recollection of whether sexual intercourse took place or not), 38% (20) were recorded as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’. A large number (13 / 57%) of the 23 victims who had not been drinking, but were nonetheless unsure whether a rape had taken place, had apparently taken drugs or had mental health issues. For these cases the ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate was 65% (15).

45. Of the total allegations:

• 59% (402) of the victims were White
• 23% (157) were Black
• 7% (49) were Asian
• 8% (51) other BME groups
• 3% (18) data missing from the CRIS

46. These broad racial categories differ somewhat from the London population as a whole, where the breakdown is:

• 71% White
• 12% Black
• 13% Asian and
• 4% other (2001 census data)

47. It is the view of some of those conducting the review that black and minority ethnic (BME) victims may be more likely to report allegations of rape to the police as there is a lack of statutory and voluntary sector support mechanisms in place for BME victims outside of the criminal justice process i.e. they have nowhere else to turn. This hypothesis is speculative and requires further investigation. It could also be the case that BME victims have more confidence in the police and/or the Havens.

48. The review found no significant difference in the proportions of allegations recorded as rape (as opposed to ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’) when measured by victim ethnicity.

• 75% (278) of the allegations by White North European victims
• 73% (108) of Black and
• 82% (37) of Asian victims’ allegations of rape were classified as crime

49. The review found:

• 23% (158) of victims were minors (15 years old and under)
• 35% (234) were aged between 16 and 25
• 30% (205) were between 26 and 40
• 12% (77) were 41 and older

50. Of the allegations by female victims aged 15 and under, 21% (29) of allegations were recorded as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’. This compares to ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rates of 19% (42) for victims aged between 18 and 25, and 24% (45) for those between 26 and 40. The highest proportion of ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ involving female victims falls into the age group of 41 and over (36% / 26).

51. Approximately 40% (273) of the alleged rape incidents took place at the victim’s address, with another 26% (177) taking place at the suspect’s address. Around 20% (135) of the alleged rape incidents took place on the street/open space. The ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate for offences committed in an open space was higher at 32% (43) compared to offences that took place at either the victims’ or the suspect’s address (23% or 39). Whilst 8% (35) of allegations occurring at the victim’s or suspect’s address were later judged to be false, this rises to 15% (20) of allegations taking place in an open space. It has been suggested by some conducting the review that this is linked to a higher proportion of false complaints, where the complainant is vague about where the alleged offence took place. This hypothesis is speculative and requires further investigation.

52. In the majority of allegations, the victim knew the alleged assailant. 39% (262) of the offenders were recorded as ‘acquaintances’ and 24% (162) as those in an intimate relationship or formerly in an intimate relationship with the victim.

53. There was a higher rate of ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ for allegations involving an assailant who was a stranger (30% or 53 allegations), compared to acquaintances (23% or 61) or those currently or previously in an intimate relationship (23% or 37). The ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate was lowest when the assailant was another family member (9% or 6). The higher rate of ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ for suspects not known to the victims appears to be driven by false allegations. Allegations accusing strangers made up 26% (175) of all allegations but 35% (24) of false allegations.

54. Time between the incident and the report to the police has critical implications for forensic retrieval, often affecting the strength of a criminal case. Some early reports are subsequently withdrawn when the victim subsequently admits that the offence did not take place. Conversely, the research indicates reports made after considerable reflection are less likely to be classified as false. Whilst the research shows a higher rate of false allegations amongst those offences reported in the first few days following the incident, every offence must be treated with equal seriousness as the majority of early reports are classified as crime. Whilst more likely to be true, in the case of later reports there is a danger of losing forensic evidence if the victim delays reporting the incident for too long. Forensic evidence is crucial in the case of stranger attacks and refusal to undergo examination may impact on the ability of the MPS to bring to justice those offenders who are committing multiple rapes.

55. Looking at only those incidents that happened less than a month before the matter was reported, 67% (452) of victims contacted police within the time necessary to gather forensic evidence.

56. Depending on the relationship of the victim to the assailant, there are wide variations on the time taken to report the incident to the police, and this has consequences for the investigation. When alleged assailants are strangers, 93% (163) are reported in under a month.

57. Many allegations detail incidents that took place over a month before. 23% (61) of victims in cases where the assailant is an acquaintance, and 28% (45) where the relationship is intimate, report rape incidents that are over a month old. 60% (39) of the incidents involving family member assailants are reported over a month after the event.

58. The highest ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate is for allegations that are reported within one to three days (32% / 36). There is some evidence to suggest that this is driven by false allegations, where the circumstances refer to stranger attacks. The ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate for allegations reported in under a day is 26% (75). Where assaults have taken place over a year prior to report, the ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’ rate is at its lowest level at 12% (9). It is the belief of some conducting the review that this lower level of ‘No Crime/’Not Crime’ is the result of victims giving careful consideration before reporting the allegation to the police.

59. In 37% (249) of the investigations, police noted that they have had difficulties maintaining contact with the victim. This includes cases where the police have difficulty in contacting the victim for follow-up statements and information, that is, victims may fail to return phone calls or not be at home when the police call by appointment. Such difficulty in maintaining essential contact with the victim limits the ability of the investigation particularly in the critical early days. Victims may be reluctant to speak to the police as they try to cope with crisis and trauma rather than a positive unwillingness to support a prosecution.

60. The desire of the victim to cooperate with any public prosecution may be related to whether she or he willingly reported the incident to the police. As noted earlier, 72% (487) of allegations are reported directly by victims themselves. 28% (190) of allegations are initiated by someone other than the victim, such as a family member, partner or third party. Where the allegation was initially reported by someone other than the victim and the allegation was subsequently classified as ‘No Crime’/’Not Crime’, difficulties in maintaining contact with the victim were cited as the reason for discontinuing in 62% /32 cases. This suggests that when a victim does not initiate the crime report, establishing rapport with them is even more problematic.

61. Williams’ (2004) in-depth study of 32 victims who reported rape to the MPS and subsequently withdrew their rape complaints found a number of complex reasons for not maintaining a prosecution. These included victims’ initial reasons for reporting and how the police reacted to them, fear of the offender and of further violence juxtaposed with the length of time the process would take and the level of support offered by the police. The limits to a criminal justice outcome in resolving the alleged rape, feeling withdrawal was the easiest way out in terms of fear both of court and of the offender, and wanting instant closure on how they were feeling, were also offered as reasons.

62. We have no grounds to believe that these complexities are any different in the present pool of allegations. In just over 12% (84) of all allegations, the victim withdrew the allegation in the first two months of the investigation. Some of these withdrawals were admissions that the offence did not occur, and these are included in the proportion of allegations judged to be ‘false allegations’. In the remaining withdrawn allegations, the victim no longer wished to continue with criminal proceedings. In the majority of these allegations, it is simply stated in the CRIS report that the victim does not want the investigation to continue, or does not ‘wish to go to court’. Other reasons cited by victims included those who do not want the suspect to be prosecuted (cited eight times), those who do not wish their families to know about the incident (cited three times) and those who fear the suspect (three times). The review suggests that issues surrounding victim withdrawal deserves more consideration and should be monitored on a regular basis.

63. 79% (66) of victims who provided a withdrawal statement made the initial allegation themselves. In comparison, for 13% (11) of those who gave a withdrawal statement, the complaint was generated by a third party.

64. Of the 68 allegations classified as false, 27 were assessed by investigating officers to have credible evidence of having been brought to the attention of police for ‘malicious’ reasons (e.g. victim angry with ex-boyfriend) or for ‘attention seeking’. Another 24 involved victims with a history of mental illness (where there was evidence that the victim had a history of making false rape allegations) and with no corroborating evidence to support an allegation of rape. The remaining 17 involved children and adolescents attempting to gain attention or attempting to explain where they had been, having been reported to the police by a significant adult as ‘missing’. The overall figure of 10 percent of rape allegations judged to be ‘false’ is similar to the proportion of 9% found by Kelly, Lovett and Regan (2005) in a recent comprehensive review of rape attrition.

65. The following shows the progress of the 677 investigations reported during April and May 2005 as of 21 September 2005. Of the 677 allegations of rape reported 511 were classified as crimes, of which 462 were classified as crimes of rape. The picture of attrition in these first few months of investigation shows:

• in 416 cases the alleged offender had been identified
• in 218 cases suspects had been arrested
• in 201 cases the matter had been submitted to the CPS for a decision as to whether to charge

66. In 96 of these cases, the alleged offender had been charged (i.e. about half of those cases submitted to the CPS by the police).

67. As of the 22 January 2006 the MPS has recorded 2934 allegations of rape of which 2142 have been confirmed as rape. 27.6% of those offences have been shown as a sanctioned detection to date. The sanctioned detection rape target for the MPS is 27% for this year. For 2003/04 and 2004/05 the year-end figures were 25.8% and 25.1% respectively for sanctioned detections.

68. A ‘Sanctioned’ Detection is where an allegation has resulted in either a charge, a summons, a caution, a formal warning, a youth reprimand or an offence being taken into consideration i.e. in addition to the charge for which the person is before a court, other offences can be admitted by the defendant and the court asked to take these offences into consideration in passing sentence.

Emerging strategic issues

Public Perception

69. Amnesty International have recently released a report, carried out by ICM, outlining the results of a phone survey carried out on 1095 people aged 18 and over. Results show that only 4% of the participants were able to correctly predict that there would be in excess of 10,000 rapes a year. Although the conclusion of the report was that people generally felt that the woman’s behaviour does not make her responsible for being raped, there was a considerable amount of people who responded that the victim was partially or totally responsible for being raped if she clearly failed to say no, she behaved in a flirtatious manner, was drunk, wore sexy/revealing clothing, had had many sexual partners or was alone in a dangerous/deserted area.

70. The report indicates that participants were selected from a range of social groups however it is not known how truly representative this sample was. It is also not known if it was clearly explained that the report was purely about assigning blame rather than the victims putting themselves at risk. Regardless of these issues, it does highlight the issue that the public are poorly educated about the matter of sexual offences.

71. Recommendation: This is a national issue rather than specifically local to London. A Home Office national awareness campaign around the truth about rapes and sexual assaults could be of benefit and would ask the MPA to give their support to lobby for such a campaign.

72. The following section outlines the environmental scanning of factors that could affect sexual offences over the coming 12 months.

Smoke-free environments

73. This was discussed in the last submission and although we have not yet seen a direct impact as very few establishments have banned smoking completely, it is still something that we should remain aware of. This could affect both males and females who will have to go outside to smoke, and increasingly they are more likely to be alone during the winter months if someone in their company is not also a smoker. This in turn will increase their vulnerability, especially in the hours of darkness, and so an increase in sexual assaults could occur as a result.

74. Action: Sapphire Intelligence to monitor the number of offences where a victim is smoking alone outside.

24-hour drinking

75. As licensed premises are now able to apply for extended drinking hours, it is felt that this will have a direct impact on the level of sexual offences that occur in London, across all relationship categories. Even though the majority of establishments are applying only for extensions to their normal drinking hours rather than opening their doors all day, this is still a cause for concern. The changes will make it more difficult to police, as the times that the public leave the venues will be more dispersed. In addition, people may find themselves walking alone in places that would usually have been quite busy come normal closing time, again increasing their vulnerability.

76. In turn, this could have an effect on the number of minicab offences that occur if London transport systems do not operate in line with new opening hours. People will resort to using a minicab or walking distances alone, if there are no there are no other options available.

77. Action: Sapphire Intelligence to monitor any changes in offences involving victims consuming alcohol.

Overseas Visitors

78. Offences involving victims who were foreign visitors accounted for 3.5% of all of the offences reported. Similarly to victims with mental health problems, there appear to be a number of issues that arise through the investigation, such as finding an interpreter or the victim’s willingness to assist. Information into the specific nationalities of those that are being assaulted and who by, as well as further details of the offences are needed before any crime prevention measure can be put into place. In order to be in line with our control strategy and to offer the highest level of care for all victims, it is imperative that we understand the problem wholly.

79. Action: Sapphire Intelligence Unit compiling an analytical problem profile to be created on victims of a sexual offence who are foreign visitors.

Private Dwelling Assaults:

80. A large proportion of offences involved the victim coming into contact with the suspect in a private dwelling and being assaulted in the same venue. This can include the victim’s or suspect’s home address or even a third party’s address. This type of offence is committed across all of the relationship categories although obviously the elements of the offence will vary. It is therefore necessary to fully understand the problem in order to aid with prevention and offer any assistance possible with the investigation.

81. Action: Sapphire Intelligence Unit producing an analytical problem on offences where the victim is approach and assaulted in a private dwelling.

Progress of Sapphire

New Sapphire Lead

82. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Yexley has been posted into lead Sapphire within Territorial Policing (Crime) in January 2006. He will head the Project Team, the Cold Case Rape Investigation Team and the Intelligence Unit, and is chair of the London Haven Strategic Board.

C. Race and equality impact

Havens welcome clients from all backgrounds and are very happy to work together with any community support organisations or voluntary organisations that the client agrees to be approached. As they cater for all age groups, ethnicities and backgrounds (London wide) they are clearly unable to be experts in all areas. Therefore, they will mostly be led by the client's needs and the Havens own assessments. Should Haven staff not be able to meet an identified need they will discuss this with the client, try to find out which agency can assist and then refer the client on. Some more frequently presenting problems, such as language barriers, have been addressed via the use of interpreters and availability of translated leaflets on the Haven website. Havens are accessible for clients with disabilities. They have also developed strong links to sex workers projects in order to facilitate improved access to the Haven services. Furthermore, a Young Persons Support Worker has been employed to assist young people in dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault and to run prevention programmes at local schools. They also have a designated child protection nurses.

D. Financial implications

1. Extra finance and staff resources will be required to fulfil the Rape Review Recommendations. These additional internal resources will be met through standard internal MPS reviews and submissions on staffing and finances.

2. The current running costs for the three Havens exceed the agreed budget that was proposed/agreed prior to the two North London sites opening. This is being addressed by a joint Business Case which has as its objective the need to achieve a regular, reliable income stream to provide a full Haven service at the three existing sites. The Business Case has been agreed by the Havens Strategic Board and is awaiting clearance of additional funding from London Strategic Health Authority Chief Executives. This is expected in the next few weeks. Additional funding required from the MPS can be met from existing budgets.

E. Background papers

• A Review of Rape Investigations in the MPS 2005, MPS
• Liz Kelly, Jo Lovett and Linda Regan (2005), A Gap or Chasm? Home Office – available through the Home Office Website.

F. Contact details

Report author: Phil Kaye, Detective Superintendent, TP Crime.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

List of abbreviations

SOIT

Sexual Offence Investigative Techniques

MPS

Metropolitan Police Service

MPA

Metropolitan Police Authority

ICG

Internal Consultancy Group

PCT

Primary Care Trust

TP

Territorial Policing

CCSM

Crime and Control Strategy Meeting

ICM

Amnesty International UK

CRIS

Crime Reporting Information System

SCD(5) - CAIT

Serious Crime Directorate Child Abuse Investigation Teams

MAPPA 

Multi Agency Public Protection Agencies

Send an e-mail linking to this page

Feedback