Better use of intelligence needed to secure rape convictions

Rapists could be convicted more quickly and successfully if the police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) made better use of available intelligence.

A joint inspection published this week by HM Inspectorates of Constabulary (HMIC) and the CPS found the criminal justice system has made progress in relation to the needs of rape victims but improvements must also be made to the way the police gather and analyse intelligence material to identify perpetrators of rape and more can be done to ensure that prosecutions are robust.

The report said improvements had been made in dealing with victims but there were still major failings of intelligence systems, variances in crime recording, a lack of understanding of offending behaviour and too great a focus on compliance at the Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS) so as it is not well organised or used.

The joint inspection report, Forging the links: Rape investigation and prosecution, also identified a failure to check on previous convictions of foreign suspects, a lack of understanding in the use of partial DNA and the police were not seeking early investigative advice from the CPS, despite it being a recommendation in a previous thematic inspection in 2007.

The latest report highlighted an increase in rapes recorded by the police over the last three years – by 3,261 (26 per cent) – as evidence why investigative techniques and prosecutions must improve to ensure that perpetrators of rape and the full extent of their offending are identified quickly and where appropriate prosecuted.

It said the rise in reported rape is a very real cause for concern. Action is therefore required not only to maintain and improve the victim experience but to identify strategies to manage increasing numbers of cases, and ensure that the response of police and prosecutors is robust and effective.

HM Inspector of Constabulary, Dru Sharpling, said: “We found that more can be done to make better use of the systems and processes in place around gathering and analysing intelligence, which will improve the service and experience of the criminal justice process for victims, and prevent crimes. Whilst the service for victims is getting better, there is absolutely no room for complacency and good intelligence, the right investigative approach and targeting resources effectively are key to preventing rape and catching perpetrators.

“Our review makes a number of practical recommendations which, if implemented, could make a difference to the police service’s ability to understand and solve rape, and the criminal justice process.”

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) said the review rightly acknowledges improvements in recent years to the way victims of rape are treated but it knows there is no room for complacency.

ACPO lead for rape and serious sexual offences, Chief Constable Dave Whatton, said: “As with any review we need to ensure that the best practices are shared amongst all to ensure consistency in our approach to supporting victims and investigating and prosecuting rape. ACPO will now work through the recommendations from this review to ensure that we can further enhance our response to rape crimes.”

The Association of Police Authorities welcomed the report. Its chairman Mark Burns-Williamson said it provides a helpful list of practical measures and existing good practice that the police and partners should implement to further improve the tackling of rape.

“We welcome this guidance and police authorities will hold forces to account for delivering the report’s recommendations so that rape is identified, investigated and prosecuted even more effectively in the future.”

Key findings

Intelligence gathering is not meeting the demands of the rise in recorded rape
The performance management regime of the past has tended to overvalue what can be measured and rape has been part of that culture. Forces have been asked to concentrate on bringing offe