In October 2020, the 大象传媒 Shared Data Unit reported police had wrongly cancelled records of serious crimes, in many cases without informing victims, analysis of official reports shows.
We examined the most recent from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS), which detailed how officers incorrectly cancelled reports of rape, sexual offences, violence and robbery.
Charity Rape Crisis said the findings were "completely unacceptable".
The Home Office said forces received "clear guidance" on cancelling crimes.
Data and sources
The data and background methodology released to partners is available here:
Interviews and quotes
- Home Office
- National Police Chiefs鈥� Council
- Think tank the Police Foundation
- The charity Rape Crisis
- Warwickshire Police
- Cheshire Constabulary
- Hampshire Constabulary
- Gloucestershire Constabulary
Partner usage
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to the wider news industry as part of the 大象传媒 Local News Partnership. Stories written by partners based on this research included:
- Yorkshire Post: 23 October 2020
- Isle of Wight County Press: 23 October 2020
- Southern Daily Echo: 23 October 2020
- Northamptonshire Telegraph: 23 October 2020
- Romsey Advertiser: 23 October 2020
- Suffolk News: 23 October 2020
- Hampshire Live: 23 October 2020
- The Northern Echo: 23 October 2020
- Hemel Today: 23 October 2020
- Hampshire Chronicle: 23 October 2020
- Basingstoke Gazette: 23 October 2020
- South Wales Argus: 25 October 2020
- Manchester Evening News: 26 October 2020
- Lancashire Telegraph: 27 October 2020
- Bolton News: 27 October 2020
- Gloucestershire Gazette: 27 October 2020
- Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard: 27 October 2020
The story was also used by 大象传媒 Radio Leicester, 大象传媒 Radio Cambridgeshire, 大象传媒 Radio Shropshire, 大象传媒 Radio Sussex, Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire) 大象传媒 Radio Humberside and 大象传媒 Three Counties Radio.
Other usage
- The Telegraph: 23 October 2020