West Yorkshire CPS Response to Joint Inspectorates Report on Rape
31/01/2007
Police and Prosecutors have accepted the recommendations in national report on the investigation and prosecution of rape cases.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Ken Macdonald, QC, said the report recognised the efforts made by the CPS since the previous joint inspection report in 2002. It identified many strengths and good practice procedures.
Sir Ken said: "I am determined to improve the way we deal with these cases from start to finish. We owe it to the complainants, who are showing more confidence in coming forward, to do our best for them.
"The improvements noted in the report included:
A significant improvement in the contact by counsel with victims and witnesses;
A good understanding of the use of special measures such as screens or video interviews;
Joint working together by police, prosecutors and other agencies at an operational level.
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Sir Ken said that some improvements were already underway. "Last year, for example, we announced that CPS London would be appointing specialist rape advocates to review and prosecute rape cases to improve our handling of these most difficult cases. Four advocates will be in post in early February.
"CPS Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and CPS West Yorkshire, are following in the footsteps of CPS London and will be recruiting specialist advocates. I expect that this will lead to other areas doing the same."
Neil Franklin O.B.E., Chief Crown Prosecutor at CPS West Yorkshire has confirmed that the Area will look to recruit two specialist rape advocates in early course.
The specialist rape advocates will provide advice to the police prior to charge and throughout the prosecution process. They will also personally prosecute rape cases at court. They will effectively manage rape cases from cradle to grave, in order to ensure these cases are as strong as possible and presented robustly.
Mr. Franklin said: "The introduction of rape specialist advocates will bring increased knowledge, expertise and consistency to the prosecution of rape cases in West Yorkshire."
A West Yorkshire Police Spokesman said: "We are proud of our record in tackling rape and serious sexual assault within West Yorkshire, but there is always room for improvement and our practices and methods are currently being reviewed to see where we can further improve our work in these areas.
"We are committed to the development of Sexual Assault Referral Centres, with two already in use and a third currently being planned and we and our partner agencies have extremely skilled and highly trained people who deal with these matters."
Mr. Franklin confirmed: CPS West Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Police will review the report in partnership and identify any further changes necessary to the way both organisations approach rape cases.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
1. The thematic review of the investigation and prosecution of rape offences by HMIC (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) and HMCPSI (Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate) is available on the following websites:
http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/inspect_reports1/thematic-inspections/
http://www.hmcpsi.gov.uk/reports/jointins.shtml
2. The HMCPSI/HMIC joint inspection into the investigation and prosecution of cases involving allegations of rape, published in April 2002, is available at the following link:
For further information please contact Cheryl Ford, Area Communications Manager, CPS West Yorkshire on 0113 290 2839.