Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Prosecution Rates for Rape and Sexual Assault: South-west England

Thursday 20 October 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister's government is investing in the justice system to improve rape prosecutions.
  • Work is underway through Operation Soteria in the south-west to address the issue.
  • A refreshed joint national action plan was published to enhance cooperation between police and CPS.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Selaine Saxby
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the rate of rape case prosecution in her area.

Question

What steps he is taking to increase the rate of prosecution for rape cases?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

His Majesty's Government are committed to improving rape prosecutions and are investing across the justice system. Through Operation Soteria, prosecutors across the south-west have helped to lead the way with a focus on joint working with the police and on early advice, and an enhanced service to victims.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps or timelines were provided for increasing rape case prosecutions.

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Q2 Luke Pollard Labour (Co-op) Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Justice & Courts
Context

Devon and Cornwall police were placed into special measures due to failures in recording crime and managing sexual offenders, with only 20 people convicted out of 1,500 recorded rape offences last year.

Question

Does the Minister agree that now is the time to extend the sexual offences backlog pilot from London and the north to include the south-west, with a clear focus on reducing the 1,000-day wait for rape victims to get justice in court?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

Not least because I am a south-west MP, I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising the issue. Work is already under way: I mentioned Operation Soteria in the south-west. Specifically in his Plymouth constituency, I know that work is going on with the violence against women and girls commission; I have seen that work and I commend the commissioners for it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to extend the sexual offences backlog pilot was provided.

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Q3 Selaine Saxby
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is told by police that there are many outstanding rape cases and victims endure long delays.

Question

Can I meet my hon. Friend to see what can be done to unblock the situation?

Answer from Michael Tomlinson

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that important issue. She is right that the workload on our police and the CPS is high. Close working between the police and the CPS is vital. Hot off the press is the refreshed joint national action plan, which was published today and shows that the CPS has seen a 58% increase in charges. I know that she takes the issue incredibly seriously. I would be delighted to meet her, whether here or in her beautiful constituency of North Devon.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific actions or timeline for resolving delays were provided.

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