Independent review of rape cases

The women complained they were raped in Southwark in May

An investigation has been launched into how police handled the cases of two rape victims, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has said.

The IPCC will probe the actions of officers from the Metropolitan Police's Sapphire Unit after they received the complaints of rape in Southwark in May.

The inquiry follows complaints from the women over the handling of their cases.

Previously the specialist unit had been criticised over its probe into two sex attackers and a teenage rape case.

'Taken seriously'

Deborah Glass, of the IPCC, said: "This investigation will examine the actions of individual officers who dealt with these cases and will look at the way the women were dealt with, the decision-making involved and the supervision of the officers involved.

"It will look at whether any misconduct offences have been committed by officers and, if there are any causes for concern about the systems in place, we will feed them back to the MPS as soon as possible so they can be acted upon.

Stressing the importance of reporting sex crimes Ms Glass said: "However, it is also important that, if people are concerned about the way they have been dealt with by police, their complaint will be taken seriously, thoroughly investigated and action will be taken if appropriate."

The Met's Sapphire Unit was criticised last July after a rape case brought by a 15-year-old girl collapsed at the trial stage when an officer lost key evidence.

Following an investigation the IPCC said four officers should be punished over the probe which left the prime suspect free for weeks.

Her family said the girl was not given enough support during the investigation.

'Difficult decision'

The unit came under fire by the prosecution over the cases of taxi driver rapist John Worboys and stalker Kirk Reid.

Commander Mark Simmons also apologised to victims after it was found that mistakes by the police allowed Reid to evade capture for years.

The IPCC is still investigating the way the complaints by victims against Reid and Worboys were handled by police.

In March, the Met created a new dedicated sexual crimes command which will bring each borough team under the command of a central unit.

To tackle sex crimes in London, Mayor Boris Johnson announced extra funding to open three centres, known as Havens, which provide medical and emotional support for victims.

Elizabeth Harrison, who runs the Whitechapel Haven, said: "Deciding whether or not to report a rape can be very difficult."

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