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Taxi rape case police disciplined | Taxi rape case police disciplined |
(10 minutes later) | |
Five 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. |
A proper inquiry could have prevented some of the attacks, the Independent Police Complaints Commission said. | 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. | 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 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 Police | Victim: 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. | |
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' | |
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. | |
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' | |
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. |