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MORE than a third of alleged rapes originally dismissed as “no crime” incidents will be reinvestigated, Northumbria Police said yesterday.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary reviewed all 153 cases in the last three years where, after initial investigations, detectives decided no crime had been committed, finding that 54 may have been incorrectly “no crimed.”
Officers involved in the original investigations have been moved to other duties and 48 officers have been warned they could face disciplinary action.
Northumbria’s Chief Constable ordered the review.
Chief Superintendent Neil Adamson said: “These have been re-opened as crimes and each case will be reinvestigated by the review team. This will include contacting the victims in these identified cases and our main priority is to support them through this process.”
He said the 48 officers identified hadn’t necessarily done anything wrong, but that “if any officer has failed to reach the high standards expected of them, rest assured this will be dealt with through the proper procedures.”
One arrest has already been made in connection with an alleged rape this March, with the 50-year-old man since released on bail.
“I want to reassure anyone reporting such crimes to us that we will listen to them, take them seriously, investigate thoroughly and bring offenders to justice whenever we can,” Chief-Supt Adamson said.
