This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-london-13526638
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
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. |
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. |
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 the police investigation into the the teenager's allegation was "shambolic". |
Previous version
1
Next version