GMP reach new milestone in journey to improve how rape and serious sexual assault cases are investigated

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is one of 14 forces taking part in the expansion programme for Operation Soteria Bluestone, a National Police Chief’s Council led and Home Office funded research and change programme.

The scheme is set to transform the way that police forces respond to rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO) and establish a new national operating model.

On Thursday and Friday last week (15 and 16 December 2022), GMP reached a new milestone in the programme and welcomed members from Operation Soteria Bluestone as part of a supported self-assessment visit.

The purpose of the visit is to take an open and honest look at the way RASSO cases are investigated currently and to review current practices in light of Operation Soteria Bluestone findings to date.

The insight gained will assist GMP in developing an improvement plan.

The key areas of focus throughout this programme have been informed by academic studies, deep dive research and the findings from pilot studies with initial pathfinder forces.

The study focuses on 6 key Pillars which look at specific areas for improvement. These include suspect-focused investigations, identification of repeat and serial offenders, victim engagement, learning, development and wellbeing for officers, better use of data and digital forensics.

GMP has also implemented dedicated RASSO teams to take ownership of each of these areas of research.

Detective Superintendent Jude Holmes, force lead for rape and sexual assault, said: “Operation Soteria Bluestone lends GMP a framework for asking honest questions about how we currently investigate rape and serious sexual offences.

“It is an incredibly complex and challenging crime and our officers want to secure the best outcomes for victims. Opening the doors to external scrutiny isn’t always a comfortable process – it takes courage and a real commitment from all those taking part.

“We want to set the bar high and are working closely with the CPS, through the Joint National Action Plan and Operation Soteria Bluestone to bring about real and sustainable change in the way we police these traumatic offences.”

DI Rebecca Matthews, force lead for Pillars 1 and 2 said: “These areas are about ensuring investigations are suspect focused and we are looking for ways to challenge and disrupt repeat offending.”

Anthony Simpson, lead for Pillar 3 which focuses on the procedural justice approach to victim engagement, added: “The self-assessment provides GMP with an opportunity to review current practice in relation to the victims’ experience. There is a strong focus on identifying areas of best practice, and on ensuring we constantly look for opportunities to improve the services we provide to victims of RASSO cases.”

Commenting on Pillar 4 which looks at learning and development for officers, Detective Inspector Simon Edgington said: “Research during the first year of this national project has shown the need for improved structures to support officer learning and wellbeing. Supporting victims is a priority but it's also about ensuring GMP properly and effectively support those who are investigating often the most complex and challenging of investigations.”

Danny Sowden, lead for Pillar 5 (Data and Performance) said: “Pillar 5 looks at how we as a force can better understand data to support operational and strategic decision-making. In answering these questions, we have made strides towards improving the current data provision which will help deliver better outcomes for victims.”

Ryan Moulson, lead for Pillar 6, which looks at digital forensics, said: “This final pillar is focused on using an evidence informed, proportionate and transparent digital forensic strategy to improve the victim’s (digital) experience and better inform the overall RASSO investigation.”

Operation Soteria Bluestone was first piloted in Avon and Somerset Police at the beginning of 2021, as a response to the government End-to-End Rape Review. The expansion programme will build on the learning identified from the five initial Operation Soteria Bluestone forces; Metropolitan Police Service, Durham Constabulary, West Midlands Police and South Wales Police. This work will ultimately result in the new National Operating Model for use by all 43 Home Office police forces across England and Wales.

Police forces involved in the expansion of Operation Soteria Bluestone are: Devon & Cornwall, Gwent, Dyfed-Powys, North Wales, Northumbria, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Kent, Dorset and Sussex.