Menu
09/09/2011
Rape Crime Figures Discrepancies Revealed
New figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate show wide disparities in the way that police forces in England and Wales record allegations of rape.
According to the figures, the proportion of rapes dismissed as "no crime" varies between 2% and 30%.
Overall, the number of reports of rape classed as "no crime" has decreased.
In its report, which comes after a watchdog warned that recorded crime figures were skewed, the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate warned that some reports of rape were being wrongly classified by police forces.
In turn, there was a danger that these mistakes inflated perceptions of false allegations.
At the time, police in England and Wales classified almost 16% of reports of rapes as "no crime".
That figure has now fallen to under 12% - but data supplied by the Association of Chief Police Officers shows that the average hides wide variations.
Women against Rape spokesperson, Lisa Longstaff, said the figures were insulting to victims.
"The whole practice of 'no criming' does send out a terrible message and the higher the no crime figure is in each area, the worse the message it sends out," she said.
The Freedom of Information figures also revealed variations in "sanction detections" - the police accounting term for cases where a suspect has been charged or cautioned.
In her review last year of how rape cases are handled, Baroness Vivien Stern criticised the repeated use of a figure suggesting that only 6% of rapes lead to convictions.
Statistics show that a majority of rape prosecutions result in a conviction.
David Gee, a former advisor to the Home Office, said there was "such flexibility" in the crime recording rules that forces interpret them differently.
"But we need to look at not only the way it is recorded, but also the way so-called performance in this area is measured.
"This pre-determines police attitudes to allegations at the outset. If they know they are going to be criticised for recording a crime in good faith that is later not prosecuted, then there is a mind-set... there is no incentive to record."
(JG/GK)
According to the figures, the proportion of rapes dismissed as "no crime" varies between 2% and 30%.
Overall, the number of reports of rape classed as "no crime" has decreased.
In its report, which comes after a watchdog warned that recorded crime figures were skewed, the Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate warned that some reports of rape were being wrongly classified by police forces.
In turn, there was a danger that these mistakes inflated perceptions of false allegations.
At the time, police in England and Wales classified almost 16% of reports of rapes as "no crime".
That figure has now fallen to under 12% - but data supplied by the Association of Chief Police Officers shows that the average hides wide variations.
Women against Rape spokesperson, Lisa Longstaff, said the figures were insulting to victims.
"The whole practice of 'no criming' does send out a terrible message and the higher the no crime figure is in each area, the worse the message it sends out," she said.
The Freedom of Information figures also revealed variations in "sanction detections" - the police accounting term for cases where a suspect has been charged or cautioned.
In her review last year of how rape cases are handled, Baroness Vivien Stern criticised the repeated use of a figure suggesting that only 6% of rapes lead to convictions.
Statistics show that a majority of rape prosecutions result in a conviction.
David Gee, a former advisor to the Home Office, said there was "such flexibility" in the crime recording rules that forces interpret them differently.
"But we need to look at not only the way it is recorded, but also the way so-called performance in this area is measured.
"This pre-determines police attitudes to allegations at the outset. If they know they are going to be criticised for recording a crime in good faith that is later not prosecuted, then there is a mind-set... there is no incentive to record."
(JG/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 July 2008
Top Officer Calls For More 'Specialist' Rape Units
Every UK police force needs to set up a specialist unit to investigate rape allegations, a senior officer has said. Speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, John Yates, said that such teams would "help raise standards of victim care".
Top Officer Calls For More 'Specialist' Rape Units
Every UK police force needs to set up a specialist unit to investigate rape allegations, a senior officer has said. Speaking on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, John Yates, said that such teams would "help raise standards of victim care".
06 January 2015
Rape Investigation Against MP Mark Pritchard Dropped
An investigation into rape allegations against Conservative MP Mark Pritchard have been dropped, Scotland Yard has confirmed. Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, was arrested on 2 December, however he was released on police bail. He has now been informed no further action will be taken.
Rape Investigation Against MP Mark Pritchard Dropped
An investigation into rape allegations against Conservative MP Mark Pritchard have been dropped, Scotland Yard has confirmed. Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, was arrested on 2 December, however he was released on police bail. He has now been informed no further action will be taken.
25 January 2005
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
Survey reveals falling level of some crimes
The overall crime rate in England and Wales is continuing to fall, according to the results of the British Crime Survey (BCS). The survey showed that the overall crime rate fell by 11%, in the year ending September 2004.
22 June 2012
Rochdale Paedophile Ringleader Named
The ringleader of a paedophile gang in Rochdale, who groomed young white girls for sex, has been named after being found guilty of 30 separate child rape charges. Shabir Ahmed, 59, led a child sex exploitation ring of nine men who targeted vulnerable young girls in the Rochdale and Oldham areas of Greater Manchester.
Rochdale Paedophile Ringleader Named
The ringleader of a paedophile gang in Rochdale, who groomed young white girls for sex, has been named after being found guilty of 30 separate child rape charges. Shabir Ahmed, 59, led a child sex exploitation ring of nine men who targeted vulnerable young girls in the Rochdale and Oldham areas of Greater Manchester.
01 February 2006
Date rape case judges 'can influence trial outcome'
A judge's summing-up can influence a jury's decision in date rape cases, a report has suggested. The research, conducted for the British Psychological Society, presented 168 university students with a date rape scenario, which included a summing-up statement by the judge, and asked them to decide on the guilt of the alleged rapist.
Date rape case judges 'can influence trial outcome'
A judge's summing-up can influence a jury's decision in date rape cases, a report has suggested. The research, conducted for the British Psychological Society, presented 168 university students with a date rape scenario, which included a summing-up statement by the judge, and asked them to decide on the guilt of the alleged rapist.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
