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Northumbria Police to investigate “no crime” rape cases (22 August 2014)

Date: 22/08/2014
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, Northumbria Police to investigate “no crime” rape cases

Police in Northumbria are to re-open investigations into 11 out of 33 cases of rape which were recorded as “no crime” on police records so far this year.

BBC News reports that Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has “grave concerns” over the cases which were recorded as no crime after a statement from a victim was retracted.

A total of 15 officers reported to have been involved in the rape cases have also been moved to other police duties, but have not been suspended.

Ms Baird said that a “typical pattern” involved a woman who complained of rape when she had had “a great deal to drink”.
“They interviewed the defendant the next day and he said she had consented – and then the day after that there was a retraction statement from her,” Ms Baird added.

“Actually, if a woman or a man is very drunk, they are unable to consent or withdraw consent,” she said.

“They just don't have the capacity and so each and every one of those... should have been investigated.”

Ms Baird said there was another groups of cases which involve domestic incidents – cases in which “somebody has sex with their partner but sometimes they impose it upon them”.

“The police did not seem to take those seriously, either,” Ms Baird said.

The Chief Constable of Northumbria Police, Sue Sim, said that as soon as she became aware of the issues, she instructed a comprehensive investigation into all reported rape cases where 'no crime' had subsequently been recorded from October 2011 onwards.

“As an interim measure, those dealing with any case where decisions are being further examined have been moved.
“If any officer has failed to reach the high standards expected of them, this will be dealt with through the proper procedures,” she added.

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