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Version 1 | Version 2 |
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Records of rape crime 'distorted' | Records of rape crime 'distorted' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Rape claims are being left off official crime records, the BBC has learned. | Rape claims are being left off official crime records, the BBC has learned. |
Figures obtained following a Freedom of Information request showed some UK police forces were failing to record more than 40% of cases. | Figures obtained following a Freedom of Information request showed some UK police forces were failing to record more than 40% of cases. |
Rules state only allegations verified as false, reported to the wrong force, or recorded in error can be removed. | Rules state only allegations verified as false, reported to the wrong force, or recorded in error can be removed. |
The Association of Chief Police Officers said advances had been made in rape investigation but campaigners said women were being denied justice. | The Association of Chief Police Officers said advances had been made in rape investigation but campaigners said women were being denied justice. |
The figures showed wide regional variations but some forces had such a high number of cases removed from records - known as "no-criming" - that critics said it was evident the rules were not being properly applied. | The figures showed wide regional variations but some forces had such a high number of cases removed from records - known as "no-criming" - that critics said it was evident the rules were not being properly applied. |
Cause for concern | Cause for concern |
In Northumbria, there were 382 reports of rape. Of those, 172 never made it into official Home Office figures and that was before any were "no-crimed". | In Northumbria, there were 382 reports of rape. Of those, 172 never made it into official Home Office figures and that was before any were "no-crimed". |
Police in Durham said only five of 130 cases had been "no-crimed" yet the figures showed a further 83 cases were never officially recorded in the first place. | Police in Durham said only five of 130 cases had been "no-crimed" yet the figures showed a further 83 cases were never officially recorded in the first place. |
In contrast, forces in Humberside, Gloucestershire, and Northamptonshire recorded at least 90% of cases for investigation. | In contrast, forces in Humberside, Gloucestershire, and Northamptonshire recorded at least 90% of cases for investigation. |
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary demanded improvements in recording rape claims two years ago but has admitted there is still cause for concern. | HM Inspectorate of Constabulary demanded improvements in recording rape claims two years ago but has admitted there is still cause for concern. |
Lisa Longstaff and rape victim Claire Thomas on how claims are handled | |
The figures also showed hundreds of complaints lodged in the year to March 2008 never went forward to a full investigation. | The figures also showed hundreds of complaints lodged in the year to March 2008 never went forward to a full investigation. |
The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said significant advances have recently been made into investigating rapes but admitted there was still much more to do. | The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said significant advances have recently been made into investigating rapes but admitted there was still much more to do. |
Lisa Longstaff, of campaign group Women Against Rape, accused police of not taking rape seriously enough. | Lisa Longstaff, of campaign group Women Against Rape, accused police of not taking rape seriously enough. |
She said police have 72 hours in which to investigate a rape allegation and declare it a crime but some were using this as a way to avoid investigating. | She said police have 72 hours in which to investigate a rape allegation and declare it a crime but some were using this as a way to avoid investigating. |