As we come to end of 2024, it is important we look back and analyse some effective operations from across the country. On this topic, there are two operations that we wish to raise, one titled ‘Operation Soteria’ which conducted vitally important research, including a survey to that highlights the experiences of sexual abuse survivors on their experiences of the police in England and Wales. And Operation Enhance, an initiative launched by Cumbria Constabulary, that continues to see results in cracking down on anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Operation Soteria: Vital Research on Victim’s experiences
Operation Soteria has shown how improved victim experiences encouraging, however real areas of concern remain, this has meant that the Victims’ Commissioner has called on the Home Office to announce continued funding for Operation Soteria, which runs out in March 2025.[1] It is understood that the funding from the Home Officer for Operation Soteria is set to end at the end of 2024/25 financial year, it is also understood that the Victims’ Commissioner is calling for this funding to be extended to at least 2025/26. This is as survivor’s experiences of police investigations into rape and sexual assault are now improving, according to the findings form a new report.[2] This report was part of a continuation of an initial survey conducted as part of Operation Soteria, a Home Office funded initiative, which aims to overhaul the experience and police responses for sexual assault offences.
The Victims’ Commissioner, Baroness Newlove said:
“I am encouraged to hear experiences appear to be improving overall, albeit from a low base. Some victims report increased feelings of agency, better safeguarding of their privacy, as well as improved empathy and communication among officers. This is promising.
Nevertheless, real areas of concern remain. Many victims reported poor experiences, with certain minoritised groups, such as disabled victims, disproportionately affected. This aligns with what these victims also tell me. If their needs remain unmet, this will drive distrust and fuel underreporting.
The report found that independent victim support can dramatically improve survivor experience. My own research draws the same conclusion. However, not all respondents who wanted independent support received it. This needs to be urgently addressed. I recognise we are in a difficult financial climate, but it is so important these services, which include reliable access to Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, are sustainably funded.”
Among the key findings of the report, there are a few prominent ones that are worth pointing out, as the research highlights some interesting takeaways. As mentioned, survivor experiences appear to be improving, some key notes form this are that specifically, compared to those who reported before 2021, respondents who reported since 2021, were much less likely to say that the police requested third party material, which is often considered by survivors as unnecessary intimate intrusion. It is also reported that they ‘significantly better officer empathy and communication, and that they are more likely to feel they had some agency over what was happening in their case’. This is encouraging, improving victim’s experiences is essential in improving their engagement with the justice system, and for improving trust in public services.
Next, it is clear to the report that sexual violence survivors, prevention and validation matter more than a criminal conviction. When asked about what would be a ‘good outcome for the survivor’ 88% said stopping the perpetrator from doing it again was ‘extremely important’, this means that prevention of further harm is considered ‘a near-universal priority to survivors’. A majority who responded named a range of reasons, rather than a singular one. This included: stopping the perpetrator from doing it to others, making the perpetrator to understand what they did was wrong, reporting because it is the right thing to do.
It was also found that a ‘large number of survivors lose subjective access to police safeguarding and criminal justice because of a poor police experience’. Again, it is known how effective it is for survivors to have positive experiences of public services, in order to avoid a paradox of low reporting. Quite strikingly, when none of the following steps were taken: Offered a referral to victim support, told survivors about their victims’ rights, did things to protect the survivor from the suspect and looked at all the evidence, only 17% of respondents were willing to report a sexual offence to the police again. It is therefore important to understand the role of the victim, and what support they may need, by tackling these early interventions we can help restore trust and improve reporting, and therefore data on victim’s experiences.
There were many more key findings present however it is clear that Operation Soteria has produced much needed research on this difficult issue, data continues to be instrumental in improving experiences and driving evidence-based policy, and therefore we at Resolve agree with the Victim’s Commissioner that this vital operation keeps being funded into the new financial year.
Operation Enhance: Positive news on effective anti-social behaviour initiatives
Anti-social behaviour has also been in the news, including ‘operation enhance’ which is an initiative from a Cumbria Constabulary to crack down on ASB and serious violence. This initiative involves extra police patrols in areas that are identified as ASB hotspots. They help provide ‘high-visibility patrols’ which aims to proactively respond to criminality and safeguarding issues that arise in their local area.[3] These officers have also had reported positive interactions with the public, this includes youths, who even had previous issues with the police in the past.
Reportedly, over the first four months, 143 stop and searches have been conducted, 358 intelligence submissions have been submitted, and ASB powers from the toolkit has been used on 13 occasions. This has totalled into 44 arrests being made as a result of the operation.
It is important to note that this Operation has only been possible thanks to £1million of extra funding for Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner from the Hotspot Response Fund.[4] It is important the measures like these continue to get funding, particularly those with verifiable progress. It is reported for instance that ASB in these ‘hotspot areas’ are down 36.7% compared to last year. If anything, this also reiterates a continued focus on visible, community focused policing, that is proactive rather than reactive. The patrol hours of Operation Enhance amount to, for example, more than 720 hours of additional patrols. [5]
Overall, there is much to be positive from these terms vitally important operations, both supporting victims through vital research, reducing the harm produced through ASB. It is important to raise the profile of these successful operations, highlighting tangible, quantifiable success, in order to highlight what works well. We support continued focus on successful operations up and down the country that can help us understand the problems we face in community safety.
The full report on Operation Soteria can be accessed here: https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/34004/8/2024%20Op%20Soteria%20Survey%20Report%20II%20with%20correction%20131124.pdf
[1] https://victimscommissioner.org.uk/news/operation-soteria-improved-victim-experiences-encouraging-but-real-areas-of-concern-remain/
[2] https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/31310/
[3] https://emergencyservicestimes.com/2024/11/12/cumbria-constabulary-anti-social-behaviour-crackdown-continues-to-see-results/
[4] https://emergencyservicestimes.com/2024/06/27/how-police-forces-are-tackling-anti-social-behaviour-with-their-66m-funding-boost-this-year/
[5] https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKCUMBRIA_POLICE/bulletins/3bb25c4#:~:text=Police%20officers%20are%20cutting%20anti,cent%20compared%20to%20last%20year.
