Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance is issued to police forces on maintaining accurate audit trails of (a) evidence submissions to the Crown Prosecution Service, (b) supervisory decisions, (c) case progression and (d) communications with victims in rape and serious sexual offence investigations.

This Government is committed to improving the criminal justice response to sexual offences and improving outcomes for victims. We expect the police to investigate sexual offences promptly and effectively, while maintaining appropriate records and adhering to relevant legislation, the Victims' Code, and national police guidance.

Through the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection, we have provided police forces with academic-informed guidance and tools to improve their response to sexual offences. This includes working with prosecutors to build the strongest, suspect-focused cases with victims’ needs at the core of the investigation, including where decisions are made regarding bail and other safeguarding arrangements.

To ensure these crimes are effectively prioritised by policing, the Home Secretary has asked all forces in England and Wales to implement a specialist rape and sexual offence team by December 2027. We are also rolling independent legal advisers for adult rape victims, to ensure victims can access expert advice and support on their rights, evidence requests, complaints, compensation claims, and special measures.

We recognise the impact that delays in the criminal justice system can have on victims' confidence and await the findings from the super complaint on the length of sexual offence investigations which is currently being investigated by HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing.

In addition, every Crown Court in England and Wales will get at least one courtroom especially set up to hear rape and serious sexual offence cases over the next two years and the Lord Chancellor has established a Rape Justice Taskforce which brings together leaders from across the criminal justice system to drive real change to reduce delays and restore trust and confidence.

Where victims feel their experiences fall below the standards expected of the police through the Victims Code, they may complain to the relevant force, Police and Crime Commissioner or the IOPC. The Home Secretary has launched an the ‘end to end review of the police accountability system’. This independent review will make recommendations on the changes which could be made to improve the timeliness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems for holding police officers to account.