Rape conviction categorisation

Why some reports are categorised as 'no crime'

Background:

On 1 September 2011 we received an enquiry from the BBC in relation to rape convictions and their categorisation with reference to an increase in the numbers that are ‘no crimed’ between 2009 and 2011 (from 10.2% to 30.0%).

Kent Police issued the following statement:

Between January and March 2011 a team of specialist officers, alongside public protection detectives, undertook a review of all open reports of rape.

'As a result of this review, detailed enquiries carried out by officers resulted in some reports of rape being categorised as a 'no crime'. This resulted in above average 'no crimes' for the period April 2010 to March 2011.

'Periodic reviews of crime reports are an important part of maintaining the highest standards of investigation practices, and allow officers to review lines of enquiry thereby ensuring victims of sexual offences are supported effectively throughout the investigation and prosecution processes.

'Victims of rape are treated with dignity and respect and are taken seriously. We will fully investigate all reports to us and work with the CPS to put offenders before the court.'

On 9 September 2011 the BBC reported the following:

The BBC stated that Kent Police had said that the jump in its statistics came after a recent review of open cases.

The story included the 'no crime' figures for six forces, of which Kent was the highest at 30%.

The BBC included the quote supplied to them but also pointed out that a representative from 'Women against Rape' said that the figures were insulting to victims and that the practice of no criming sends out a terrible message to those victims. The higher the no crime figure is, the worse the message it sends out it.

For the record:

There are many reasons a rape allegation may be 'no-crimed'. The use of this term is a general part of the Home Office crime accounting rules, and not one the police have chosen. It is unfortunate that the use of the term has been interpreted negatively in some cases, and there have even been misleading suggestions that it shows police do not take rape seriously.

It is important to note that Kent Police treats allegations seriously and as a crime from the moment they are reported to us. They are listed as a 'crime' at that point given their gravity. Many other forces wait until an initial investigation has been carried out to ascertain if there is evidence of an offence. This is an important contributory factor in Kent Police's no crime statistics.

An example could be where a person makes an allegation about an ex partner, possibly for malicious reasons. This would be recorded as a crime, but after the review process, when it is discovered the complaint was false and malicious and there is no supporting evidence, it may be 'no-crimed'.

If someone makes a report of a rape and, following police attendance, wishes to withdraw their claim, this would NOT then be ‘no crimed’, even though police are unable to take the investigation further.

If however, a person makes a report of a crime and then states their allegation is false, then this would be ‘no crimed’.

Claims which are investigated and found to be false are ‘no crimed’. It should be noted that those who make false allegations could be charged accordingly.

If, during the course of a police investigation officers find sufficient evidence to disprove an allegation of rape, then it is ‘no crimed’.

If during the course of an investigation, officers discover the crime took place outside of the Kent policing area, then this will be ‘no crimed’ and forwarded to the relevant police area. (This can occur particularly with historic rapes).

A report of a rape can be ‘no crimed’ if an incident is handed to armed services to be dealt with. Armed services have their own jurisdiction for these offences.

Kent Police has an excellent reputation for the way it records data (recognised by the Association of Chief Police Officers rape support programme) and very high investigative standards. Crime reports are regularly reviewed to make sure these standards are maintained. Other reports by the police watchdog Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) show our crime accounting rules meets the national standard.

Kent Police has a high conviction rate of the cases that go to court, 66.7% result in prosecutions for 2010-11.

The way that Kent Police investigates rape is reviewed regularly and we are constantly striving to offer victims an enhanced support service. In order to help us deliver an excellent service to victims, we ensure that a specially trained uniformed officer is deployed in the initial call when a rape is reported to us, something again that does not happen in all other forces.

In addition to this we have also set up a 'serious sexual assault operational group' which involves police and partner agencies meeting regularly to review and bring forward ways in which we can improve the service we offer.

Kent Police has established a forum where we consult with victims of rape and this allows them to highlight what we can do better and how we can make sure they are given the support they need.

Officers work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and this relationship has helped us in many successful prosecutions for this serious offence.

Our message is clear: victims of rape will be treated with dignity and respect and will be taken seriously. We fully investigate all reports to us and work with the CPS to put offenders before the court.