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Taxi rape case police disciplined Taxi rape case police disciplined
(about 3 hours later)
Five Met Police officers have been disciplined over an inquiry into sex assault claims against a taxi driver. Five police officers have been disciplined over an inquiry into sex assault claims against a taxi driver.
John Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 for raping one woman and attacking others in his London black cab. He is thought to have assaulted 100 women.John Worboys was jailed indefinitely in 2009 for raping one woman and attacking others in his London black cab. He is thought to have assaulted 100 women.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission said a proper investigation could have stopped some of the attacks. A proper inquiry could have prevented some of the attacks, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said.
Seven of them came after police made Worboys prime suspect, but officers did not initially search his home or cab.
The IPCC said two officers had received written warnings and three others had been given "formal words of advice".The IPCC said two officers had received written warnings and three others had been given "formal words of advice".
Lottery win
The Metropolitan Police has admitted that officers let down victims.The Metropolitan Police has admitted that officers let down victims.
Victim: I have no faith in the Met PoliceVictim: I have no faith in the Met Police
Worboys would pick up women late at night in London's West End and offer them a glass of champagne in his black cab, claiming to be celebrating a lottery or casino win.Worboys would pick up women late at night in London's West End and offer them a glass of champagne in his black cab, claiming to be celebrating a lottery or casino win.
The drink was mixed with sedatives that left the victims unable to defend themselves from assault.The drink was mixed with sedatives that left the victims unable to defend themselves from assault.
The police watchdog investigated two complaints from victims, one from 2003 and another whose 2007 attack was part of the eventual prosecution.The police watchdog investigated two complaints from victims, one from 2003 and another whose 2007 attack was part of the eventual prosecution.
The IPCC said that the Metropolitan Police identified Worboys as the prime suspect in 2007 - but failed to properly investigate.The IPCC said that the Metropolitan Police identified Worboys as the prime suspect in 2007 - but failed to properly investigate.
The officer who interviewed the taxi driver did not know the full allegations.The officer who interviewed the taxi driver did not know the full allegations.
These victims had a terrible experience with Worboys and that was made worse by the police response Deborah Glass, IPCC Worboys victim 'not taken seriously'These victims had a terrible experience with Worboys and that was made worse by the police response Deborah Glass, IPCC Worboys victim 'not taken seriously'
Senior officers did not order a search of Worboys's home or taxi. When officers eventually had a better idea of the case, they did not bring the suspect back in.Senior officers did not order a search of Worboys's home or taxi. When officers eventually had a better idea of the case, they did not bring the suspect back in.
He is known to have gone on and assaulted seven more women.He is known to have gone on and assaulted seven more women.
In the case of the 2003 victim, an officer failed to contact a witness who might have been able to identify John Worboys as the attacker.In the case of the 2003 victim, an officer failed to contact a witness who might have been able to identify John Worboys as the attacker.
'Lives ruined''Lives ruined'
The police watchdog said that a detective sergeant and inspector had both received written warnings and three other officers had been given formal "words of advice".The police watchdog said that a detective sergeant and inspector had both received written warnings and three other officers had been given formal "words of advice".
IPCC commissioner Deborah Glass said lives had been ruined because police officers had not taken the case seriously. Worboys attacked at least seven more women after the 2007 arrest.IPCC commissioner Deborah Glass said lives had been ruined because police officers had not taken the case seriously. Worboys attacked at least seven more women after the 2007 arrest.
She said: "It's impossible to say for certain what would have happened if the police had followed up the lines of inquiry [in 2007], but it's highly likely that Worboys would have been arrested at that point and may well not have had the opportunity to commit further crimes.She said: "It's impossible to say for certain what would have happened if the police had followed up the lines of inquiry [in 2007], but it's highly likely that Worboys would have been arrested at that point and may well not have had the opportunity to commit further crimes.
"This case highlights real concerns about the overall police response and the culture. There was also a culture that a black cab driver could not possibly have committed these offences."This case highlights real concerns about the overall police response and the culture. There was also a culture that a black cab driver could not possibly have committed these offences.
"These victims had a terrible experience with Worboys and that was made worse by the police response.""These victims had a terrible experience with Worboys and that was made worse by the police response."
Ms Glass criticised the Met for not referring the case to the watchdog when the scale of their internal concerns first emerged in early 2008.Ms Glass criticised the Met for not referring the case to the watchdog when the scale of their internal concerns first emerged in early 2008.
'Let down''Let down'
Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Foy said: "My colleagues have previously apologised for any failings in service, attention or standard of investigation offered to women targeted by Worboys or by a second serial attacker, Kirk Reid.Metropolitan Police Commander Simon Foy said: "My colleagues have previously apologised for any failings in service, attention or standard of investigation offered to women targeted by Worboys or by a second serial attacker, Kirk Reid.
"Today I reiterate these apologies unreservedly. The two complainants were also let down by the Met and for this I am also sorry.""Today I reiterate these apologies unreservedly. The two complainants were also let down by the Met and for this I am also sorry."
Reid was arrested four years after becoming a suspect. He was convicted of two rapes and 24 sexual assaults, but police believe he was behind 71 attacks.Reid was arrested four years after becoming a suspect. He was convicted of two rapes and 24 sexual assaults, but police believe he was behind 71 attacks.
Mr Foy said the force had overhauled how officers investigate sexual assault allegations by creating the UK's first central intelligence unit to catch serial offenders.Mr Foy said the force had overhauled how officers investigate sexual assault allegations by creating the UK's first central intelligence unit to catch serial offenders.