THE Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to manage an investigation into how Suffolk police dealt with an allegation of serious sexual assault made by a 14-year-old girl.
THE Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is to manage an investigation into how Suffolk police dealt with an allegation of serious sexual assault made by a 14-year-old girl.
It is claimed the allegation was made in 2005 to the police and no action was allegedly taken. In August 2008 the allegation was repeated to police and recorded as a crime. A criminal investigation began and led to a man's arrest.
A 21-year-old man was given a suspended sentence and a 24-month supervision order for sexual activity with a child in November 2009 at Ipswich Crown Court.
Since the court case, a complaint has been made against Suffolk police by the parents of the victim.
The matter was referred to the IPCC by Suffolk police on 17 December last year.
After initial assessment it has been determined there will be an investigation conducted by the professional standards department of Suffolk police, managed by the IPCC.
IPCC commissioner Rachel Cerfontyne, said: “A complaint against a police officer of failing to record a crime, especially an offence of this nature alleged by a young girl, is a very serious matter.
“There are a number of unanswered questions here, and we need to examine carefully what happened. We will manage an investigation to look at how Suffolk police dealt with this sexual assault allegation, and their contact with this young victim."
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