Recommendations - Metropolitan Police Service, November 2024

Metropolitan Police Service · Ref: 2021/153511

Recommendation date: 4 December 2024

Response due: 29 January 2025

Published: 6 May 2025

We identified organisational learning following an IOPC review of a complaint investigated by the MPS where a victim of a sexual assault had not been provided with significant key updates of the investigation. The victim subsequently withdrew their statement, and the investigation was closed. Two years later, the investigation was re-opened after a serial offender was identified and later charged.

View on IOPC website

Recommendations (2)

Recommendation 1 Awaiting Response

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that the MPS should review and update their Sexual Offence Investigative Trained officer (SOIT) Guidance. In order to provide clear expectations of a SOIT in their role and responsibility as a conduit for information sharing between the … Read moreThe IOPC recommends that the MPS should review and update their Sexual Offence Investigative Trained officer (SOIT) Guidance. In order to provide clear expectations of a SOIT in their role and responsibility as a conduit for information sharing between the investigative team and victim. This follows an IOPC review of a complaint investigated by the MPS whereby a victim of a sexual assault had not been provided with a significant key update of the investigation, which was that a positive DNA match was identified. The victim subsequently withdrew their statement, and the investigation was closed. Two years later, the investigation was re-opened after a serial offender was identified as a result of linked DNA profiles. The offender was subsequently charged. The SOIT guidance should reflect the College of Policing (COP) approved Professional Practice (APP) on working with victims and witnesses and Rape and sexual offences. This includes training requirements for SOITs and recording of all relevant information including agreements on parameters of their role, victim contact agreements, how notifications of investigation updates will be notified and a regular flow of contact with the investigation team to be maintained. In addition, the SOIT Guidance should complement the MPS Sexual Offences Secondary Investigation Guidance. The SOIT guidance should reflect the national operating model for the investigation of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences as led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council. Accepted The Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”) has considered and accepts this IOPC recommendation. Throughout 2024, the MPS has combined separate policies into an overall Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RaSSO) investigations. This document’s focus is wide-ranging, but we have ensured there is specific reference to the challenges identified by this investigation and the division of responsibilities when updating victims. The following is an extract from the SOP under the Secondary Investigation Process section. ‘Complete RASSO – Supervisor Risk Assessment, setting RAG rating and Assign OIC and SOIT Officer Clearly record any risk identified. A discussion between the assigned OIC and assigned SOIT needs to take place at the outset of the investigation with an entry on the report that needs to reflect agreements on parameters of the roles of the OIC and SOIT in relation to victim contact agreements, how notifications of investigation updates will be notified and how a regular flow of contact with the investigation team is to be maintained. A full intelligence package should be conducted and recorded to assist the OIC, supervisor and SIO in making an informed risk assessment. If the intelligence package is not completed, supervisor should raise an action as part of the 10-18 hour review or any subsequent review of the investigation. MARAC referrals should be considered and if suitable, the MARAC Multi Agency Risk Assess Tag should be added on the Basic details page. MARAC referrals (like any other safeguarding option) should not be discounted simply because a victim withdraws or retracts the allegation. If the case meets the threshold for referral (usually based on risk) then officers should follow DA policy. Any decision to refer or a reason why not should be documented on the CONNECT report. The victim should have been afforded safeguarding measures to try and minimise any further risk to the victim and their children if applicable. CONNECT report(s) should be created in order for the risk to any child(ren) to be identified and for Social Services to be directly informed and safety measures to be considered to safeguard the children. Investigating officers must ensure intelligence on those coming to notice during cases subject to no further action are recorded; this should include details of actions taken and details kept in an accessible auditable format.’ This reflects the fact that victim contact and updates are a key facet of an investigative strategy, to be decided at the outset and be determined by the best interests of the victim. The SOP will be published on the MPS internal website in February 2025 and will be available to all MPS officers and staff. Show less

Recommendation 2 Awaiting Response

Recommendation

The IOPC recommends that the MPS should review and update their Sexual Offences Secondary Investigation guidance to provide clear roles and responsibilities in relation to Sexual Offence Investigative Trained officers (SOIT’s) and Officers in Charge (OIC’s) of investigating a sexual … Read moreThe IOPC recommends that the MPS should review and update their Sexual Offences Secondary Investigation guidance to provide clear roles and responsibilities in relation to Sexual Offence Investigative Trained officers (SOIT’s) and Officers in Charge (OIC’s) of investigating a sexual offence. This follows an IOPC review of a complaint investigated by the MPS whereby a victim withdrew their support of a serious sexual offence without having been provided with the key update of an investigation that a suspect had been identified. The Sexual Offences Secondary Investigation guidance should reflect the College of Policing (COP) approved Professional Practice (APP) on working with victims and witnesses and Rape and sexual offences. In addition to the national operating model for the investigation of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences as led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council. This includes setting out the OIC’s requirement to agree the working parameters during an investigation with a SOIT to ensure their duties are carried out appropriately. Including reviewing the SOIT’s logbook and ensuring there is a free flow of information to the SOIT to ensure they are aware of when information should be passed to a victim. Accepted The Metropolitan Police Service (“MPS”) has considered and accepts this IOPC recommendation. Throughout 2024, the MPS has combined separate policies into an overall Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RaSSO) investigations. This document’s focus is wide-ranging, but we have ensured there is specific reference to the challenges identified by this investigation and the division of responsibilities when updating victims. The following is an extract from the SOP under the Secondary Investigation Process section. ‘Complete RASSO – Supervisor Risk Assessment, setting RAG rating and Assign OIC and SOIT Officer Clearly record any risk identified. A discussion between the assigned OIC and assigned SOIT needs to take place at the outset of the investigation with an entry on the report that needs to reflect agreements on parameters of the roles of the OIC and SOIT in relation to victim contact agreements, how notifications of investigation updates will be notified and how a regular flow of contact with the investigation team is to be maintained. A full intelligence package should be conducted and recorded to assist the OIC, supervisor and SIO in making an informed risk assessment. If the intelligence package is not completed, supervisor should raise an action as part of the 10-18 hour review or any subsequent review of the investigation. MARAC referrals should be considered and if suitable, the MARAC Multi Agency Risk Assess Tag should be added on the Basic details page. MARAC referrals (like any other safeguarding option) should not be discounted simply because a victim withdraws or retracts the allegation. If the case meets the threshold for referral (usually based on risk) then officers should follow DA policy. Any decision to refer or a reason why not should be documented on the CONNECT report. The victim should have been afforded safeguarding measures to try and minimise any further risk to the victim and their children if applicable. CONNECT report(s) should be created in order for the risk to any child(ren) to be identified and for Social Services to be directly informed and safety measures to be considered to safeguard the children. Investigating officers must ensure intelligence on those coming to notice during cases subject to no further action are recorded; this should include details of actions taken and details kept in an accessible auditable format.’ This reflects the fact that victim contact and updates are a key facet of an investigative strategy, to be decided at the outset and be determined by the best interests of the victim. The SOP will be published on the MPS internal website in February 2025 and will be available to all MPS officers and staff. Show less