Rape Monitoring Group: criminal agency data on rape
The latest set of figures from the Rape Monitoring Group now present the most up-to-date picture of how rapes are dealt with across England and Wales.
Get the report
Rape Monitoring Group: Digests and data 2014/15
The Group has published today 42 reports or ‘digests’ showing how cases of rape are dealt with at all stages of the criminal justice process.
Chair of the Rape Monitoring Group, Wendy Williams said:
“This data provides a starting point to allow people – from the public to police and crime commissioners – to scrutinise how rape is dealt with in their area, and ask important questions of the local criminal justice services.
“It does however need to be treated carefully; the data is collected by different organisations, in different ways and for slightly different time periods. For instance, a high number of reported rapes in one of the 42 areas might indicate that victims are more willing to report rape, rather than a particularly high rate of rapes for instance.
“Without data which allows direct comparisons, we can’t see what good or bad practice currently exists and it is not possible to track the progress of individual cases of rape through the criminal justice system. The Rape Monitoring Group regularly reviews these digests to try to enhance the quality and quantity of the information so that the right questions can be asked. In the meantime this data provides a platform for further discussion.”
This year the digests contain new data on the outcomes for police rape investigations and a breakdown of transferred or cancelled crimes for the first quarter of 2015/16. For the first time the data shows in more detail why crimes would have fallen into the category formerly known as ‘no crimes’ by breaking down crimes that were transferred to other forces to investigate, crimes that were cancelled due to being recorded in error as rape, and where it has subsequently been determined that a crime did not take place.
These figures are provided to enable equal access to data from the Home Office, Office for National Statistics, Crown Prosecution Service and Ministry of Justice. The information, known as digests, presents local information on:
- The number of reports of rape to the police and the subsequent investigations;
- The referral of cases to the CPS for charging decisions and prosecutions; and
- Trial outcomes.
Get the report
Rape Monitoring Group: Digests and data 2014/15
Notes
- The RMG aims to identify issues, and support and challenge progress across the criminal justice system in implementing work to improve the response to rape. The RMG aims to professionalise the response to rape victims, spread good practice and increase public confidence in responding to rape to ensure victims get a better service.
- The RMG comprises representatives from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing, Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, Home Office, local policing bodies, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, Ministry of Justice and voluntary sector partners. HM Inspector of Constabulary, Wendy Williams, chairs the group.
- Data covers 2010/11 to 2014/15, although some data covers different periods within that timeframe.
- The data reflects the most up to date figures that have been released.
- There are 42 digests reflecting police force areas; the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police are combined to make up the London area.
- Comparisons between forces need to be made with care. Full caveats are presented throughout the document, alongside the relevant data sets.
- For further information, HMIC’s press office can be contacted during office hours from 8:30am – 5:30pm, Monday – Friday on 020 3513 0600.
- HMIC’s out-of-hours press office line for urgent media enquiries is 07836 217 729.