MORE than 85 per cent of rapes reported to police are unsolved, it can now be revealed after an investigation by this paper.
Over the last 10 years, since January 2010 until July 31 2020, police in Oxfordshire have received 3,487 reports of rape.
Of those, the majority - 2,585 – were filed with 'no further action'.
REVEALED: an 'alarming' amount of crimes reported to police are not solved
Another 398 were shelved until more information comes to light.
Of the remaining 504 reports, 80 are still being investigated, two have resulted in a caution, and 422 have ended in a charge.
Below, we break down the data into areas and outcomes.
Read more: still no arrests after violent rape near Travelodge on Abingdon Road
Oxford
Rapes reported to police: 1,304
Crime outcomes
No further action: 1,304
Investigation complete, filed pending further information: 154
Caution: 1
Charge: 146
Ongoing investigation: 26
Cherwell and West Oxfordshire
Rapes reported to police: 1,156
Crime outcomes
No further action: 854
Investigation complete, filed pending further information: 129
Caution: 1
Charge: 151
Ongoing Investigation: 21
South and Vale
Rapes reported to police: 1,027
Crime outcomes
No further action: 754
Investigation complete, filed pending futher information: 115
Caution: 0
Charge: 125
Ongoing investigation: 33
Total for Oxfordshire
Rapes reported to police: 3,487
Crime outcomes
No further action: 2,585
Investigation complete, filed pending futher information: 398
Caution: 2
Charge: 422
Ongoing investigation: 80
What have police said?
Thames Valley Police say they take every report of rape ‘extremely seriously’.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We remain committed to preventing and detecting offences of rape and sexual offences.
"We would encourage victims to come forward, where they will receive specialist support and will be treated with sensitivity and compassion. Any reported offence will be thoroughly investigated and we will always do everything possible to trace those responsible and take the most appropriate action against them.
“The investigation of such offences is hugely complex and there can be difficulties reaching the required standard of evidence, additionally some of the reports we receive might be from non-recent cases where the offender may have passed away, cannot be traced or evidence may have been lost due to the passage of time.
“It can be hard, particularly in relation to domestic offences, for victims to come forward and report what has happened. Often they also might be reported by a third party, where the victim feels they are unable to support a prosecution of a partner or former partner.
“Thames Valley Police will always investigate fully with a victim focused approach, focusing on the needs of the victim in which prosecution might not always be the most appropriate course of action for them at that time.
“We would encourage all victims of sexual offences to please report them by calling Thames Valley Police on 101 or if you are in immediate danger please call 999. There is also further information on our website of how to report and resources for victims of sexual offences and rape. https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/support-for-victims-of-rape-and-sexual-assault/”.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel