Half of rape investigators are trainees, warns police watchdog

Shortage of fully qualified detectives is contributing to delays of up to four years before rape and sexual assault cases are heard

Half of rape investigators are trainees as a result of a shortage of detectives in most police forces, a watchdog has warned.
A report by the Inspectorate of Constabulary said all forces were struggling to fill posts with detectives, which was forcing them to employ “student officers or trainee detectives” in rape and serious sexual assaults (Rasso) investigation teams.
“We found that in nearly every force, half of Rasso teams are personnel who aren’t fully qualified and are still training,” said Michelle Skeer, an inspector of constabulary, in her report published on Thursday.
Police were also delaying arresting rape suspects and cancelling appointments with victims because investigators were being deployed at matches and festivals because of officer shortages, the report said.
The problems were contributing to delays of up to four years for rape and sexual assault victims before their case was brought before crown courts.
“Rasso cases are still taking too long to reach trial. Victims often wait at least two years for their cases to be heard,” said the report.
“In two forces, they waited as long as four years. Delays and uncertainty make it much more likely that victims will withdraw support for a case.”
The proportion of suspects being taken to court for rape is still among the lowest levels recorded, with a charge rate of just 2.6 per cent, according to the latest government figures.
The inspection findings come after Home Office-funded Operation Soteria was launched in 2021 in a bid to overhaul and improve how police investigate sexual offences. The scheme was rolled out across all 43 forces in England and Wales last year.
While too early to judge the programme’s success, the watchdog looked at progress so far at nine forces which had adopted the measures since its launch and concluded “major changes are required for it to be successful on a national scale”.
Under Operation Soteria’s investigative model, officers adopt an offender-centric approach that focuses more on suspects’ patterns of behaviour before, during and after reported attacks.
It shifts the spotlight from investigating the credibility of victims, which has been blamed for more than 60 per cent of rape complainants withdrawing from cases, and a consequent collapse in conviction rates.
Making 14 recommendations for improvement to chief constables and bodies including the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing, Ms Skeer said: “For too long, victims of rape and serious sexual offences have been failed by the criminal justice system.
“Many struggle to come forward, out of fear of not being believed or being unable to access support.
“It is crucial the police respond effectively to these devastating crimes. That’s why Operation Soteria sets out a new approach and model in response, grounded in decades of research examining policing practice.
“Out of nine forces inspected so far, early signs of positive progress are being seen.
“But improvements are required to ensure Operation Soteria is implemented effectively.
“We recognise that forces are trying to make things better while dealing with high demand and limited resources.
“However, even with all these challenges, Soteria presents a major opportunity for the criminal justice system. We must keep up the momentum towards change and give victims the service they deserve.”
In May, James Cleverly, the then home secretary, vowed to put more sex offenders behind bars after thousands of police officers were specially trained in investigating rapes in the wake of claims that the offence had effectively become decriminalised.
At the time, the College of Policing said 4,540 officers in England and Wales had completed specialist training on investigating rape and sexual offences.
The College – the body responsible for police training – said officers had been trained in each of the 43 forces across the two nations, but did not disclose how many officers per force have received the training.
The NPCC, College of Policing and Home Office have all been contacted for comment.