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Met police sex crime unit 'inexperienced', says judge Met police sex crime unit 'inexperienced', says judge
(40 minutes later)
A police squad intended to investigate sex crimes was under-resourced and run by inexperienced officers, a judge has said.A police squad intended to investigate sex crimes was under-resourced and run by inexperienced officers, a judge has said.
A "Sapphire" unit was established in Southwark, south-east London, six years ago.A "Sapphire" unit was established in Southwark, south-east London, six years ago.
But Mr Justice Collins, speaking at a hearing into the investigation of an alleged rape, criticised the unit. Mr Justice Collins, speaking at a hearing into the investigation of an alleged rape, criticised the unit.
The Metropolitan Police said it was a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).The Metropolitan Police said it was a matter for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
Judicial review
In early 2005 detectives investigated the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.In early 2005 detectives investigated the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl.
A man was charged with raping the girl but found not guilty after a trial, the court heard.
Relatives of the alleged victim were unhappy with the inquiry and asked the IPCC to investigate an officer.Relatives of the alleged victim were unhappy with the inquiry and asked the IPCC to investigate an officer.
'Complete failure'
The IPCC decided not to ask police to take disciplinary action - and the family then sought a judicial review into the decision.The IPCC decided not to ask police to take disciplinary action - and the family then sought a judicial review into the decision.
Series of mistakes
On Tuesday Mr Justice Collins sided with the family, saying the IPCC should have taken action.On Tuesday Mr Justice Collins sided with the family, saying the IPCC should have taken action.
An IPCC spokeswoman said: "We are aware of today's ruling and await the full written judgement of the court."An IPCC spokeswoman said: "We are aware of today's ruling and await the full written judgement of the court."
In a report published two years ago, the IPCC said police investigating the girl's rape allegation had made a series of mistakes.
Officials said the inquiry had not been properly supervised, forensic opportunities had not been explored and mobile phone evidence "lost" because of errors.
'Shambolic' investigation
The Met has apologised to the family for its failing.
During the hearing, Mr Justice Collins said: "There was a unit which had recently been set up in Southwark called the Sapphire unit.During the hearing, Mr Justice Collins said: "There was a unit which had recently been set up in Southwark called the Sapphire unit.
"Unfortunately there was a complete failure to provide the necessary resources to enable the unit to operate properly."Unfortunately there was a complete failure to provide the necessary resources to enable the unit to operate properly.
"The result was that inexperienced police officers were put in charge.""The result was that inexperienced police officers were put in charge."
He added that there had been a "failure to resource the unit properly and ensure that officers properly trained were carrying out these investigations". He added the police investigation into the the teenager's allegation was "shambolic".