Alcohol plays a bigger role in rape cases

Apart from murder, rape is among the most serious crimes investigated by police.

This is why the force commits a large amount of resources to rape inquiries and conducts thorough investigations, reacting quickly to reports for the protection of the victim, as well as other members of the public.

As crime manager for the northern area, Detective Chief Inspector Judi Heaton oversees rape investigations in Halton and Warrington.

"Rape is a traumatic experience for the victim and this type of crime is taken very seriously by our team of dedicated detectives who make every effort to prosecute the person responsible," she said.

"Victims of rape should not be afraid to come forward to police and tell us what's happened.

"The sooner an offence is reported, the greater the chance we have of bringing the perpetrator to justice."

The circumstances surrounding an incident of rape can vary.

However, most reports that police receive involve an offender who is known to the victim as an acquaintance. Stranger rape is extremely rare.

And, while incidents do occur, the intentional spiking of people's drinks - more commonly known as 'drug rape' - is also extremely rare in Halton and Warrington.

And this reflects the national picture highlighted in a recent report by the Forensic Science Service (FSS)*.

DCI Heaton said: "This latest research has shown that, of more than 1,000 tested samples, three per cent were found to contain evidence of date rape drugs such as Rohypnol, but the drug that featured most was alcohol.

"Alcohol is often a big factor in allegations of rape where people have drunk large amounts and are then unsure whether they gave consent for sexual activity, or not.

"The fact that some people do act on impulse while drunk, and later regret the decision, can complicate the investigation of reported rapes, but the issue is whether the person gave informed consent.

"It is becoming increasingly cheaper to buy alcohol and usually it's not the lower strength booze on special offer in pubs and bars - it's vodka and alcopops.

"With small and sweet tasting drinks it's difficult for people to gauge how much they've had to drink.

"Alcohol and binge drinking plays a large part in clouding people's judgment and ability to assess the situation they're in.

"It doesn't necessarily affect you straight away and it can lower your inhibitions. This can leave people vulnerable.

"Senior officers within the northern area are currently looking at the night time economy, the impact extended licensing hours could have on people's drinking behaviour and what we as police can do to make sure licensees do not encourage binge drinking.

"But ultimately it's about people taking responsibility for how much they have to drink.

"If sexual activity takes place the onus is on both the man and the woman to ensure informed consent is given.

"In extreme cases of drunkenness, the victim is deemed in law to be incapable of giving true consent so the offence of rape or indecent assault could be committed even when the victim has not put up any type of resistance because they are so drunk.

"Rape is an extremely serious crime to allege - for the person making the allegation and for the person who the allegation is against.

"It's important for us to concentrate our efforts and resources on responding to these allegations sensitively and professionally and conducting thorough investigations."

DCI Heaton added: "There are things people can do to keep themselves and their friends safe. By all means go out for a night out and have fun, but look out for one another and don't get into situations where you could lose your ability to make sensible decisions."

Alcohol plays a bigger role in rape cases