Fall in number of rape charges despite a rise in reports to police

‘We need to know why this has happened and what those in charge are going to do’

THE number of rape suspects charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has fallen by almost a quarter over the past year, despite an increase in the number of allegations.

In 2017-18, the CPS charged 2,822 defendants with rape, almost 850 fewer than the previous year and the lowest number in a decade.

But the fall – which continues a four year downward trend – comes as complaints to police are continuing to rise, almost doubling in the past five years.

Last year, there were more than 41,000 rape allegations made to police in England and Wales, according to Home Office data. The fall in the number of prosecutions has been linked to a marked drop in the number of cases being referred to the CPS by the police.

Forces across England and Wales referred 599 fewer cases to the prosecutors last year, with some suggesting extra demands around disclosing digital evidence could be partly to blame.

There has also been a large rise in the number of cases dropped by the police at an early stage following advice from prosecutors.

Described as “administratively finalised”, the figure rose by 72 per cent in 2017, the highest recorded since the data was first collected.

It has led to accusations that the prosecutors are rejecting cases that they are not certain of winning in order to improve their conviction rates.

Campaigners have described the fall as “deeply troubling” and “shameful”. Katie Russell, spokesman for Rape Crisis England & Wales, said: “This shift is both surprising and deeply troubling given that unprecedented and increasing numbers of victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse continue to come forward to seek both criminal justice and specialist services.

“As victims and survivors continue to be encouraged and celebrated for speaking out by both society and public institutions, it’s clear criminal justice outcomes are not only failing to keep pace but diminishing.

“The CPS must properly explain the reasons behind these falling figures and set out their strategy for improving criminal justice around sexual violence as a matter of urgency.”

Sarah Champion, shadow secretary of state for women and equalities, said

the figures were “shameful” adding: “It is an absolute scandal that there’s been such a dramatic decrease in the number of prosecutions for rape cases.”

Sarah Green from the End Violence Against Women campaign group said: “This is a collapse in rape justice and we need to know why this has happened and what those in charge of the justice system are going to do about it.”

Data also suggests large regional differences in the service that rape victims receive from prosecutors.

In the East Midlands a suspect is charged within 38 days on average – the quickest in the country. In eastern England the average rises to 123 days.

Despite the fall in the number of cases being prosecuted, there has been an increase in the proportion of cases that result in successful convictions. Figures showed that rape suspects were now convicted in 49per cent of all cases taken to trial, the highest since 2012. The report also showed good progress in tackling domestic abuse with three out of every four domestic abuse cases ending in conviction.

Last year, there was also a large rise in the number of prosecutions for stalking offences, increasing by almost 70per cent over the past 12 months.

Alison Saunders, the Director of Public Prosecutions, who is due to step down later this year, said: “Our focus is on making sure the right person is prosecuted for the right offence, and bringing offenders to justice wherever possible.

“Our priority is to continue to work with the police, to bring strong cases and respond to challenges.”