Following the IPCC's findings of its investigation into the MPS handling of the Worboys case, Commander Simon Foy, head of Homicide & Serious Crime, said:

"We are grateful to the IPCC for the work it has carried out into the Metropolitan Police Service's handling of the Worboys case.

"The MPS voluntarily referred the case to the IPCC for independent investigation in January 2009 after our own internal review identified a number of shortcomings.

"Subsequently, a woman assaulted by Worboys in July 2007 made a formal complaint against officers who had dealt with her initial allegation. In June 2009 a second woman, who had been sexually assaulted in May 2003, made a formal complaint against an officer who had investigated her allegation.
Both complaints were independently investigated.

"My colleagues have previously apologised for any failings in service, attention or standard of investigation offered to women targeted by Worboys or by a second serial attacker, Kirk Reid. Today I reiterate these apologies unreservedly. The two complainants were also let down by the MPS and for this I am also sorry.

"The report acknowledges the significant amount of work which has already been carried out by the MPS in the way we deal with victims of rape and sexual assault, in response to failings identified in both the Worboys and Reid cases.

"We have learned lessons from both cases and made a number of changes.
Between 2001 and 2007, when these offences were committed, investigations of this type were run in each of the 32 boroughs. They are now investigated by a new single command, Sapphire.

"Sapphire moved under the command of the Specialist Crime Directorate in September last year to provide a more consistent service to victims, with increased accountability and better-trained and more experienced staff.

"At the same time as offering more support and an improved service to victims, working in partnership with specialists from London's Havens and other partners, we are improving the way we gather, use and share intelligence.

"Although the new Sapphire structure is in its early stages, we have already seen a rise in recorded crimes, which we believe is partly due to an increase in victims coming forward to report rape and sexual assaults as a result of greater awareness amongst potential victims and the public in general. The MPS has also centralised its crime management unit to improve the consistency and quality of recording practices.

"But we are not complacent. We know that the needs of victims must be at the heart of every rape investigation - that they are treated properly and sensitively and that they know that every possible line of inquiry has been exhausted in an attempt to bring any offender to justice.

"The report makes a number of further recommendations which we accept, some of which have already been implemented and others which will be taken forward. Looking forward we must do all we can to stop any similar situation happening again."

January 22, 2010