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Records of rape crime 'distorted' Records of rape crime 'distorted'
(10 minutes 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 concernCause 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.
Northern Constabulary, which covers the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney and Shetland, puts every case on its records.Northern Constabulary, which covers the Highlands, Western Isles and Orkney and Shetland, puts every case on its records.
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 handledLisa 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 had recently been made into investigating rapes but admitted there was still much more to do.
Chief constable of Cheshire Police, Dave Whatton, who speaks for Acpo on rape issues, said even when allegations were withdrawn they must still be investigated.
"If somebody's saying, 'I have been raped but I'm not prepared to go forward with this at court,' then it should still stay as a crime.
"That isn't something that should be withdrawn. Because in terms of threshold tests, it has to be proved that the offence did not take place, not that we can't take forward the investigation."
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.
Do you think the police should improve how they record rape claims? How can this be achieved? Send us your comments using the form below.Do you think the police should improve how they record rape claims? How can this be achieved? Send us your comments using the form below.
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