Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which police forces have reviewed all rape reports classified as no crime since the publication of HMIC's report on crime data integrity; how far back each such review went; and how many cases were re-classified as a result.

Violent offences, such as rape, are devastating crimes that ruin lives. We expect every crime report to be taken seriously, every crime to be recorded, every investigation to be conducted thoroughly and professionally, and every victim to be treated with dignity.

Under this Government, the overall no-crime rate for rape has fallen year-on- year from 12.6% in 2009/10 to 7.3% in 2013/14. It is encouraging that a number of forces have stated a determination to further bring down no-crime rates for rape.

A specific sample of rape cases was collected and assessed by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) as part of its audit of crime recording quality. It found that 20 % of no-crime decisions in that sample for rape were incorrect and in 22 % of those cases there was no evidence that the police informed the complainant of their decision.

Whilst we do not hold data in the manner described in the question, the Government expects to see police and crime commissioners and chief constables using HMIC’s inspection findings to improve the way their force responds to rape and supports victims. It is encouraging that some forces have already announced reviews of earlier no-crime decisions, following the HMIC
inspections. Where HMIC has made recommendations for individual forces, we expect police and crime commissioners and chief constables to take them seriously and take every step to further improve recording in their force.