Police call on rape and abuse victims to seek help

Cumbria Police said it had changed the way it deals with sexual crimes

A police force is encouraging victims of sexual violence and abuse to come forward after changing the way it deals with the crimes.

Cumbria Police said there were many ways to deal with perpetrators, even if the victim did not want to go through the criminal justice system.

It has set up a specialist team to work with rape victims and reduce the time it takes to bring charges.

Det Ch Insp Vicki Coombes said the force was "committed to pursuing any identified offenders to bring them to justice".

Cumbria Police has launched a campaign to encourage victims to report crimes

Cumbria Police said it had made significant changes over the past two years to the way it responds to sexual offences.

This included creating a new specially-trained team to work with victims of rape and offer support from the first report until the case reaches a court.

'No place for these crimes'

The force has also made changes to the way it deals with victims' mobile phones.

Having their phones taken puts people off reporting crime, Det Ch Insp Coombes said.

Officers now download the evidence they need within 24 hours, she added.

“We have dedicated digital forensic technicians who have mobile technology which enables them to travel to victims to download their device, by appointment, which negates the necessity to seize the device at all," she said.

Cumbria Police has launched a campaign to highlight the work it is doing and encourage victims to seek help.

"Sexual offences are horrendous crimes that have a profound and lasting impact on victims - and there is no place for these crimes in society," Det Ch Insp Coombes said.

“We recognise these crimes can be extremely difficult to speak about, which is why we also provide additional options for those who want to report to the police - and we work closely with support agencies across Cumbria.”