Recurring concern

Unreliable police handling of reported sexual assault allegations

First to latest report 6 Oct 2020 — 16 May 2023

Reports that mention this concern
4
Times this concern has been raised
6
Stated actions linked to this concern
13

What this concern includes

Includes failures in the police handling of reported sexual assault allegations, including initial recording or assessment, investigation and progression, decisions to discontinue or not pursue, communication of those decisions and reasons, and related victim-facing safeguards where these are part of the same allegation-handling process.

What is not included
  • Excludes generic police communication or investigation deficiencies where no reported sexual assault allegation is involved.
  • Excludes domestic-abuse, child-sexual-assault or specialist sexual-offences processes when the assertion is confined to a separately named pathway that provides the more specific supported boundary.
  • Excludes failures in victim support, crime recording or prosecution after the reported sexual assault process has otherwise operated reliably, unless the failure is part of handling the allegation itself.
  • Excludes the underlying allegation, harm or outcome where no continuing deficiency in the police allegation-handling process is identified.

Reports and published responses 4 reports

See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response

  1. Cornwall and Isles of Scilly

    AI-generated summary

    Tamsin Ann Dolamore · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Tamsin Ann Dolamore died aged 24 after falling from a railway bridge onto railway lines on 8 January 2018; the inquest recorded an Open Conclusion and the medical cause of death as effects of multiple injuries. The substantive concerns included delays in appointing a Sexual Offence Liaison Officer, delays and gaps in mental-health and support services, and insufficient police resources causing delays in progressing rape and serious sexual assault complaints.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Lack of available DC capacity to progress rape and serious sexual assault complaints

    Wider context from the report

    “I was informed by ████████ that as of January this year, there were 600 open cases of rape or serious sexual assault. I was told additionally that there are over 20 vacancies for DCs to progress these complaints. One consequence was that it was taking over a month to achieve best evidence through video interview or otherwise. ████████ agreed that the lack of available DCs meant that both the quality and amount of work that could be done were affected. ”

    Source location

    Tamsin Ann Dolamore · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Allocate 76 detective constables to general Criminal Investigation Department crime types, increasing investigative capacity.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “This figure has improved slightly since CIOS CID have been allocated 76 Detective Constables (‘DC’) to deal with general CID crime types. Rape and other serious sexual offences are two types of the many other serious and complex crimes that we deal with. It has been suggested that RASSO offences account for around 35% to 40% of a Detectives workload. Clearly having vacancies impacts on the average amount of investigations that each investigator will have. Investigators workloads are at levels that have not be seen before and that is a combination of the rising demand from our communities and the vacancies. This high demand also reflects that our communities feel confident to report this type of crime. The vacancy and reducing, however and that is mainly by recruiting Police Officers at the early stages of their careers.”

    Source location

    Response from Dorset Police
    Page 2 · response
    Published 19 May 2023

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Continue recruiting police officers to reduce detective constable vacancies and staffing shortfalls.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “This figure has improved slightly since CIOS CID have been allocated 76 Detective Constables (‘DC’) to deal with general CID crime types. Rape and other serious sexual offences are two types of the many other serious and complex crimes that we deal with. It has been suggested that RASSO offences account for around 35% to 40% of a Detectives workload. Clearly having vacancies impacts on the average amount of investigations that each investigator will have. Investigators workloads are at levels that have not be seen before and that is a combination of the rising demand from our communities and the vacancies. This high demand also reflects that our communities feel confident to report this type of crime. The vacancy and reducing, however and that is mainly by recruiting Police Officers at the early stages of their careers.”

    Source location

    Response from Dorset Police
    Page 2 · response
    Published 19 May 2023

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Launch Project Synergy to improve the investigative operating model, team resilience and wellbeing, and investigative quality.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The Chief Constable has also just agreed to launch Project Synergy which is an initiative to improve our investigative operating model, increase the resilience and wellbeing of our investigative teams and to improve investigative quality. We are currently in the process of recruiting a Detective Chief Superintendent to lead on this project across Devon and Cornwall. Its considerations include formation of investigative hubs whereby investigators will be brought together to increase resilience, enable more specialist officers to be established (including rape investigators) and to introduce investigation support officers to boost the available resource. We are hopeful that this new initiative will increase our capability to deal with the increasing investigative demand.”

    Source location

    Response from Dorset Police
    Page 3 · response
    Published 19 May 2023

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Staffing levels were not a factor in the death, despite affecting investigators’ workloads and ability to process work.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “I agree that staff numbers are a factor on our ability to process the work, but our staff provide the best service they can with many competing demands, and it was not a factor in this tragic death. Clearly, I would want us to be fully staffed as that would reduce average workloads and as explained there is ongoing recruitment but that will take time to see the improvement. We have many examples of good work within the teams, and we continue to prosecute RASSO offences in the courts with our CPS colleagues.”

    Source location

    Response from Dorset Police
    Page 2 · response
    Published 19 May 2023

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The Chief Constable is responsible for responding to concerns about open rape and serious assault cases and Detective Constable vacancies.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Lastly, you raise concerns about the serious matter of the number of open rape and serious assault causes and vacancies at Detective Constable level. As you have sent a separate PFD to the Chief Constable, I trust they will respond fully on the matter.”

    Source location

    Response from Ministry of Justice
    Page 2 · response
    Published 19 May 2023

    Open published response

  2. Manchester South

    AI-generated summary

    Jade Rayner · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Jade Nicole Rayner was a vulnerable adult with complex mental and physical health needs, including seizures, alcohol use and fluctuating capacity. She was found unresponsive at home on 30 March 2020 and had a fatal level of prescribed antidepressants and alcohol in her system. Concerns included the absence of an effective multi-agency strategy, failures in recording and investigating a reported sexual offence, and alcohol misuse support that could not meet the needs of a complex case involving underlying trauma.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to record a reported sexual allegation as a crime

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The inquest was told that her capacity fluctuated and she was vulnerable. Her social worker reported to Greater Manchester Police and to NWAS that it was believed she had been the victim of a sexual offence involving an employee of NWAS who had initially been to her address in a professional capacity. The inquest heard that NWAS dealt with this robustly through their internal disciplinary process. The inquest was told that GMP did not record it as a crime. The officer giving evidence to the inquest initially gave evidence that GMP had 72 hours to decide if GMP should record a sexual allegation as a crime. It was then indicated that it should have been recorded as a crime. The inquest was told it was not investigated and was written off following a strategy meeting. Jade Rayner was not as a consequence offered by GMP the support set out within the Victims Code. 2. Her case was complex, and the evidence was that there was not a clear multi agency strategy to support her particularly to share information and understand the relationship between earlier Domestic abuse and the subsequent use of alcohol. 3. The evidence was that the existing available alcohol misuse support programmes whilst useful could not meet the needs of a complex case such as this where underlying trauma was a key driver. ”

    Source location

    Jade Rayner · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to investigate a reported sexual allegation

    Wider context from the report

    “1. The inquest was told that her capacity fluctuated and she was vulnerable. Her social worker reported to Greater Manchester Police and to NWAS that it was believed she had been the victim of a sexual offence involving an employee of NWAS who had initially been to her address in a professional capacity. The inquest heard that NWAS dealt with this robustly through their internal disciplinary process. The inquest was told that GMP did not record it as a crime. The officer giving evidence to the inquest initially gave evidence that GMP had 72 hours to decide if GMP should record a sexual allegation as a crime. It was then indicated that it should have been recorded as a crime. The inquest was told it was not investigated and was written off following a strategy meeting. Jade Rayner was not as a consequence offered by GMP the support set out within the Victims Code. 2. Her case was complex, and the evidence was that there was not a clear multi agency strategy to support her particularly to share information and understand the relationship between earlier Domestic abuse and the subsequent use of alcohol. 3. The evidence was that the existing available alcohol misuse support programmes whilst useful could not meet the needs of a complex case such as this where underlying trauma was a key driver. ”

    Source location

    Jade Rayner · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Implement training methods for officers on National Crime Recording Standards.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In relation to National Crime Recording Standards, the timescale of 72 hours to record a crime was removed on 31 April 2015. In order to train officers in this area a variety of training methods have been implemented, and since the HMICFRS Victim Services Assessment in November 2020, GMP have introduced a central Crime Recording and Resolution Unit which will help ensure crimes are recorded for all relevant incidents.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Police-Redacted
    Page 2 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Introduce a central Crime Recording and Resolution Unit to support accurate recording of relevant incidents.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In relation to National Crime Recording Standards, the timescale of 72 hours to record a crime was removed on 31 April 2015. In order to train officers in this area a variety of training methods have been implemented, and since the HMICFRS Victim Services Assessment in November 2020, GMP have introduced a central Crime Recording and Resolution Unit which will help ensure crimes are recorded for all relevant incidents.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Police-Redacted
    Page 2 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Provide officers with feedback on crime-recording understanding and knowledge.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Sergeant ████████ has been given feedback in relation to his understanding and knowledge of crime recording.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Police-Redacted
    Page 2 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Review district vulnerability-email management and implement arrangements to identify and record crime, assess victim risk, mitigate it, and record actions.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In relation to Ms Jade Rayner's case, officers did consider recording a crime following the email from social services on the 8 October but it was only after the joint visit, five days later that the offences of Misconduct in Public Office was considered. Additional work has been completed by the Public Protection Governance Unit, who have reviewed the management of district vulnerability e-mail accounts in order to; Identify and address gaps in systems and processes for identifying and recording all reports of crime, and put in place arrangements to make sure that in all investigations the risk to the victims has been appropriately assessed, risk mitigated and actions recorded.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Police-Redacted
    Page 2 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Introduce streamlined single inboxes for consistent routing of enquiries and concerns.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Initial work completed also includes a dip-sample of how partner e-mails received by the District Safeguarding Team have been managed, and a streamlined process with single 'in-boxes' has been introduced to ensure consistency, and allow all to easily route enquiries or concerns.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Police-Redacted
    Page 2 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The remaining concerns fall under Greater Manchester Police’s remit, so Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership will leave them for police response.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “This letter addresses the issues that fall within the remit of GMHSCP and how we can share the learning from this case. With regard to point 1 of your report I understand that the NWAS Head of Service for Greater Manchester gave evidence at the inquest as to the internal investigation and disciplinary actions taken. The remainder of the concerns raised falls under the remit of Greater Manchester Police and I shall leave it to them for their response.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Health-and-Social-Care-Partnership-Redacted
    Page 1 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    A Force Crime Registrar review concluded that no recordable crime had been committed.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “Following investigation it has now been established that officers from the Criminal Investigation Department at Stockport visited Jade Rayner on 14 October 2019 and considered whether any offences had been committed. The Force Crime Registrar has also reviewed the matter and concluded no recordable crime has been committed.”

    Source location

    2021-0128-Response-from-Greater-Manchester-Police-Redacted
    Page 1 · response
    Published 4 May 2021

    Open published response

  3. East London

    AI-generated summary

    Chelsie Violet Greatorex · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Chelsie Violet Greatorex took an overdose of prescribed medication on 10 March 2020 and died later that day despite emergency treatment. The report describes concerns about her anxiety as a complainant in a sexual assault case, delays in the investigation, the lack of specialist handling despite her being a child when the alleged assault occurred, and limited support after she contacted police.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Delays in investigation and progression of sexual assault cases

    Wider context from the report

    “c. Delays in the investigation were identified, • despite naming the suspect and their place of study, no interview took place for over 3 months. • a decision to prosecute was not arrived at until late December 2020. • A court hearing was not listed until January 2020. ”

    Source location

    Chelsie Violet Greatorex · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 2 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Operate the North East Basic Command Unit Response Support Team as a training and investigative advice resource for response officers.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The MPS recognises that as the investigation was not considered complex, it should have been completed in a quicker timeframe. The MPS have therefore made improvements in the supervision and team structures of response teams to support less experienced officers with their investigations. A Response Support Team was set up on North East Basic Command Unit on 23rd September 2020 and blends together resources from Emergency Response Policing Teams, Local Resolution Teams, Criminal Investigation Departments and probationary officers and their mentors. The Response Support Team functions as a training unit and allows for a steady improvement of officers investigative skills and point of contact for advice.”

    Source location

    2021-0018-Response-from-MPS-Redaction
    Page 2 · response
    Published 27 January 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Introduce the vulnerability tool into monthly Offender Management Meetings to identify and prioritise vulnerable-victim cases requiring management intervention.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The observations about the length of the investigation and failure of management systems to adequately prioritise Ms Greatorex’s case are being addressed with the introduction of a new product, the vulnerability tool, which has been developed for Basic Command Units’ monthly Offender Management Meetings which prioritise outstanding named suspect cases when the victim has been identified as being the subject of some form of vulnerability. This allows for management intervention and looks across all offence types to identify cases where progress should be prioritised for the benefit of victims where an element of vulnerability has been identified.”

    Source location

    2021-0018-Response-from-MPS-Redaction
    Page 2 · response
    Published 27 January 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Carry out a cross-system review of the criminal justice response to rape and report a package of improvement actions.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “That is why, along with the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Office, the Home Office is currently carrying out a review of the criminal justice response to rape. The scope of the review covers the length of the criminal justice process, from police report and investigation through to final outcome in court, so that we can take a comprehensive view of any issues that need to be addressed within the system and take action accordingly.”

    Source location

    2021-0018-Response-from-Home-Office-Redacted
    Page 1 · response
    Published 27 January 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The timeliness of the prosecution decision and court listing lay with the Crown Prosecution Service and Her Majesty’s Courts Service.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The timeliness from when the decision to prosecute and the court hearing lies with the CPS and Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS). The suspect for this allegation was interviewed on 5th November 2019 leading to a submission of the evidential file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on 26th November 2019. The investigating officer made further contact with the CPS on 18th December 2019 regarding the decision on a charging authority and seeking to expedite the case. The CPS authority was granted on 27th December 2019. The suspect was served charges on 2nd January 2020 with a first court appearance provided for the end of the month.”

    Source location

    2021-0018-Response-from-MPS-Redaction
    Page 3 · response
    Published 27 January 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The Metropolitan Police Service will respond separately on specific investigation matters because it is operationally independent.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “In your letter you ask that I ensure the matters you have raised are considered by the Metropolitan Police Service. I should stress that the Metropolitan Police Service is operationally independent and, as such, will respond separately on the specifics of the investigation in question. I am therefore responding to the Coroner’s concerns only in so far as they relate to national policy.”

    Source location

    2021-0018-Response-from-Home-Office-Redacted
    Page 1 · response
    Published 27 January 2021

    Open published response

  4. South Yorkshire (Western)

    AI-generated summary

    Emily Greene · Prevention of Future Deaths report

    This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.

    Report summary

    Emily Greene was found hanging from a tree in fields at the rear of Doghill, Shafton, Barnsley, on 16 November 2018, and the evidence was that she took her own life. The inquest identified concerns including inadequate specialist training, deficiencies in the sexual-assault investigation, unclear referral handling, failure to sensitively explain the decision not to pursue the allegation, unsuitable facilities for recording victim video, and mishandling of the missing-person report.

    Read the report on judiciary.uk

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Deficiencies in investigation of sexual assault allegations

    Wider context from the report

    “2. There were deficiencies by the investigating officer and SYP in relation to the investigation into the allegation of sexual assault ”

    Source location

    Emily Greene · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this individual concern was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Failure to personally and sensitively explain decisions not to pursue allegations

    Wider context from the report

    “4. That Emily was never personally seen to sensitively explain the fact of and reasons why the police were not going to take the allegation any further. ”

    Source location

    Emily Greene · Prevention of Future Deaths report
    Page 1 · concerns

    Open source report

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Reinforce investigation-review requirements with crime managers and supervisors through cascading guidance and regular compliance scrutiny.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “An assessment of the quality and efficacy of the investigation review process has recently taken place. All crime managers have been reminded of the process and have been requested to cascade this process to all supervisors. Compliance with the investigation review process in terms of both timeliness and quality is subject of regular scrutiny and performance reporting.”

    Source location

    2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
    Page 6 · response
    Published 7 January 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent action was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    Update and distribute the CID40 sexual-offences aide-memoire and amend the Force intranet guidance.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “The CID 40 Sexual Offences booklet used by officers attending the initial report of sexual offences has been reviewed and updated. This booklet acts as an aide memoire for officers and includes information around victim care, officers' actions and suspect management. The revised booklet is currently being distributed across the Force, and the necessary amendments are also being made to the Force intranet site. A copy of the new booklet has been attached for your reference.”

    Source location

    2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
    Page 6 · response
    Published 7 January 2021

    Open published response

    Source evidence

    How this respondent position was interpreted

    PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

    PFD Monitor interpretation

    The officer was suitably qualified and experienced to investigate sexual offences, having transferred with PIP2 accreditation and completed relevant specialist training.

    Verbatim wording from the response

    “DC ████████ joined South Yorkshire Police in January 2017 having been previously employed by the Metropolitan Police Service between 2007 and 2014. Having been on a career break for less than 3 years he was accepted as a direct transfer, in accordance with our recruitment policies.”

    Source location

    2020-0288-Response-from-South-Yorkshire-Police_Redacted.pdf
    Page 3 · response
    Published 7 January 2021

    Open published response

Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.

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Data last updated 7 September 2026