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Police criticised over rape case Police criticised over rape case
(11 minutes later)
A police watchdog says a woman who complained of rape was "let down" by South Wales Police.A police watchdog says a woman who complained of rape was "let down" by South Wales Police.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) says officers failed to investigate the claims properly, or offer the victim adequate support.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) says officers failed to investigate the claims properly, or offer the victim adequate support.
The report was ordered in 2008 after police began re-examining the case.The report was ordered in 2008 after police began re-examining the case.
The decision followed an in-depth report in the Guardian newspaper on the plight of the woman who cannot be identified for legal reasons.The decision followed an in-depth report in the Guardian newspaper on the plight of the woman who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
She initially contacted Sussex Police in 2005, claiming that she had been sexually abused as a child by a member of her family.She initially contacted Sussex Police in 2005, claiming that she had been sexually abused as a child by a member of her family.
The details were then passed to South Wales Police to investigate, as the alleged offences took place within their force area.The details were then passed to South Wales Police to investigate, as the alleged offences took place within their force area.
But three years on, she told the Guardian how an investigating officer took months to gather witness statements, and how the first prosecution file was lost by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and then the case was initially dropped.But three years on, she told the Guardian how an investigating officer took months to gather witness statements, and how the first prosecution file was lost by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and then the case was initially dropped.
This woman has been let down by basic policing errors and lack of adequate support Tom Davies, IPCC CommissionerThis woman has been let down by basic policing errors and lack of adequate support Tom Davies, IPCC Commissioner
But the revelations, including a detailed journal from the woman, prompted the CPS to rethink its original decision, ordering the police to reinvestigate her claims.But the revelations, including a detailed journal from the woman, prompted the CPS to rethink its original decision, ordering the police to reinvestigate her claims.
In April 2008, the IPCC announced it was launching a full investigation into how the whole case had been handled by South Wales Police.In April 2008, the IPCC announced it was launching a full investigation into how the whole case had been handled by South Wales Police.
Publishing its findings on Friday, the IPCC said it upheld all nine complaints made by the victim, including:Publishing its findings on Friday, the IPCC said it upheld all nine complaints made by the victim, including:
  • "A failure to investigate the allegations with due diligence, taking several months to obtain witness statements and failing to keep agreed appointments, which created unnecessary upset to the victim and witnesses and undue delays."
  • "A failure to provide her with the appropriate quality of service, and level of witness / victim liaison and support."
  • "The officer dealing with her case failed to show understanding or knowledge of the CPS policy with regard to prosecuting rape cases."
  • "A failure to investigate the allegations with due diligence, taking several months to obtain witness statements and failing to keep agreed appointments, which created unnecessary upset to the victim and witnesses and undue delays."
  • "A failure to provide her with the appropriate quality of service, and level of witness / victim liaison and support."
  • "The officer dealing with her case failed to show understanding or knowledge of the CPS policy with regard to prosecuting rape cases."
IPCC Commissioner Tom Davies said: "This woman has been let down by basic policing errors and lack of adequate support.IPCC Commissioner Tom Davies said: "This woman has been let down by basic policing errors and lack of adequate support.
"Allegations of the nature made to South Wales Police are difficult to investigate, but that is no excuse for not getting the basics right or providing the support needed to help people through exceedingly difficult circumstances."Allegations of the nature made to South Wales Police are difficult to investigate, but that is no excuse for not getting the basics right or providing the support needed to help people through exceedingly difficult circumstances.
"It is vitally important people can come to the police with confidence that serious matters such as these properly investigated."It is vitally important people can come to the police with confidence that serious matters such as these properly investigated.
Clear failuresClear failures
"Failures of this kind though only serve to make the experience more traumatic than it already is and dent the public's confidence."Failures of this kind though only serve to make the experience more traumatic than it already is and dent the public's confidence.
"There were clear failures in some parts of the investigation by individual officers."There were clear failures in some parts of the investigation by individual officers.
"Some of these must be seen within the context of severe staffing issues at this particular police station and the lack of support given to the investigating police officer.""Some of these must be seen within the context of severe staffing issues at this particular police station and the lack of support given to the investigating police officer."
The watchdog said that as a result of its investigation a detective constable with the South Wales force had been given a written warning.The watchdog said that as a result of its investigation a detective constable with the South Wales force had been given a written warning.
An acting detective sergeant supervising officer was given "words of advice" for his lack of supervision of the junior officer.An acting detective sergeant supervising officer was given "words of advice" for his lack of supervision of the junior officer.
A detective inspector also received a written warning for overall failings in supervision of the case.A detective inspector also received a written warning for overall failings in supervision of the case.
South Wales Police are expected to respond to the IPCC findings shortly.South Wales Police are expected to respond to the IPCC findings shortly.