Only 5% of reported sexual offenses in Hertfordshire result in charges, raising concerns and calls for justice.
A police inspector, Michael Macbeth, spoke about sexual offenses. The police take every report seriously, he stated, regardless of who was hurt or what happened. They want to bring offenders to justice.
Rape cases can be complicated and take time. Police work with the CPS to bring cases to court, and early reporting is helpful to get evidence quicker. They will investigate no matter how long ago it occurred.
DCI Macbeth said they are boosting training, which covers rape investigations and victim help. This helps frontline officers and rape investigators. They are improving working with the CPS, too.
The training covers many things, even data use. They target offenders and improve digital forensics skills, which lets them progress investigations faster and more effectively.
This enhanced training will change how they investigate. They want to put the victim’s well-being first. Macbeth wants victims to come forward and report crimes. He knows the court process is scary for victims sometimes.
Specialist officers can provide advice and support to help victims. The police focus on the suspect’s behavior, and they want to hold them responsible.