FOI 807-2023 / Aug 2023 / Unsolved cases
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 807-2023
I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 30th August 2023 as follows:
I would like to know how many unsolved rape cases you have recorded in each of the following calendar year:
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 – as far as possible to go.
If you can’t break these down by year can you please tell me how many unsolved rape cases there are in total that you have recorded?
I’m interested in the cases that remain unsolved and open – ie. The victim is still hoping to get justice but no one has been charged.
On 1st September 2023, a request for clarification was sent to you as follows:
Where you state you are interested in the cases that remain unsolved and open, please can you clarify whether you require the number of investigations that are still actively under investigation, or the number of investigations that have been filed with one of the below outcomes:
- Type 15 - Named Suspect identified: victim supports police action, but evidential difficulties prevent further action.
- Type 18 - Investigation Complete: No suspect identified. Crime investigated as far as reasonably possible – Case closed pending further investigative opportunities.
Or something else.
On 1st September 2023 you advised:
I am referring to type 18.
Can you advise if rape cases are investigated for X amount of time and then go to type 18?
On 4th September 2023, the following information and request for further clarification was sent to you:
All crimes are recorded and investigated, however, the level of enquiries and actions undertaken during an investigation are determined by the individual circumstances of each crime.
There is no set time for investigating a rape offence, it would be until all evidence had been gathered, all lines of enquiries followed up, and all relevant actions completed. Rape investigations are also subject to regular reviews by a senior officer.
Where a suspect has failed to be identified, or there is insufficient evidence to charge, an investigation is closed, pending any new evidence coming to light.
Please also accept my apologies, I should have advised in my original email that, due to system changes, information is only available from 2018 onwards.
Please confirm that you are happy to proceed with the request on the following basis:
I would like to know how many rape crimes, recorded in calendar years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 to date, which have been closed with a type 18 outcome.
If you can’t break these down by year, can you please tell me how many unsolved rape cases there are in total that you have recorded?
On 4th September 2023 you replied:
I’m happy to proceed as you advise.
On 4th September 2023 a further request for clarification was sent to you as follows:
Please can you confirm whether you require ‘attempted’ rape offences to be included in the figures?
On 4th September 2023 you advised:
No – just rape offences.
Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.
Response: A search was carried out for all Rapes, excluding any ‘Attempted Rape’ offences, recorded between 1st January 2018 and 30th August 2023, with a type 18 outcome. Please see the results, broken down by year, set out below:
|
Year |
Total |
|
2018 |
18 |
|
2019 |
30 |
|
2020 |
52 |
|
2021 |
39 |
|
2022 |
20 |
|
2023 (up to 30.08.2023) |
15 |
|
Grand Total |
174 |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.
Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.
Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
Freedom of Information Officer
Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police
PO Box 4
Leek Wootton
Warwickshire
CV35 7QB