Progress to introduce a national operating model for rape and other serious sexual offences investigations
Operation Soteria is an unprecedented programme to transform how the Crown Prosecution Service and police forces across England and Wales respond to rape and other serious sexual offences (RASSO).
Soteria aims to create effective suspect-focused RASSO investigations, where the police support victims and understand their needs. It also aims to make sure intelligence, analysis and digital forensics are used effectively to support cases.
Since 2021, 19 early adopter forces have been putting Soteria in place via the National Operating Model.
In May 2023, the then Home Secretary commissioned us to carry out this inspection using the powers under section 54(2B) of the Police Act 1996. We inspected 9 early adopter forces to evaluate their progress so far.
This report sets out our findings.