Prosecutors vow to act as rate of rape convictions reaches record low

Prosecutors have unveiled a five-year strategy to improve the rate of conviction in rape cases as new figures indicate they are at a record low.
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Police and prosecutors faced criticism earlier this month after it was revealed that just 1.4 per cent of recorded rape cases nationally ended with a prosecution in the year to March.

Statistics being released today are set to show a significant decrease year on year in the number of completed prosecutions and the number of convictions, reflecting a fall in the number of suspects charged in previous years.

Rape convictions have hit an all time lowRape convictions have hit an all time low
Rape convictions have hit an all time low
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Commenting on the figures, the Crown Prosecution Service said it was ‘working hard to reverse the trend we've seen in recent years’.

And speaking ahead of the release of the latest statistics, Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill said the CPS will use a five-year strategy to improve the figures.

Rape trials in Sheffield are held at the city's Crown CourtRape trials in Sheffield are held at the city's Crown Court
Rape trials in Sheffield are held at the city's Crown Court

Mr Hill said more alleged rape victims should be allowed to pre-record evidence to avoid coming to court for trial

He admitted that the proportion of rape cases leading to a prosecution remained low as the country went into lockdown, but said that it had risen in recent months.

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The new CPS strategy includes a joint action plan with police and giving officers legal advice early in investigations.

According to a report from the Police Foundation published yesterday, the number of rapes reported to police rose by 260 per cent between 2013 and 2019.

But data from the Home Office showed that in the 12 months to March just 1.4 per cent of 55,130 offences recorded by police led to prosecution, with 41 per cent collapsing because the victim did not support further action.

Mr Hill said: “I'm very anxious to ensure that everyone understands that the Crown Prosecution Service, just like our partners in the police and everybody else involved in dealing with these truly awful crimes, is keen to do more, to look further and to work harder to improve in the interests of the whole system.”