Victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse in Greater Manchester will benefit from a new technology being trialled which will see them allowed to keep their mobile phones during police investigations.
GMP have purchased a number of 'Odyssey' devices, which will allow specially trained police officers, supported by forensic experts, to extract evidence from devices within a set time period.
The trial comes at a time when rape convictions in England are woefully low. Staggering statistics published by the Government's End-to-End Rape Review in 2021 revealed that just 1.6pc of rape cases reported to the police resulted in someone being charged.
READ MORE: Mum goes on drunken 50-mile jaunt along motorway with 15-month-old son in back
And an investigation published last year found that two thirds of rape victims are dropping out of prosecutions amid claims that police had been searching their phones in order to "discredit" them.
Many victims reported that requests for mobile phones were intrusive, unnecessary and they felt their behaviour and credibility were being scrutinised, according to research by London's victim's commissioner, Claire Waxman.
The new technology has been partially funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) following reports from victims who said having their phones taken away from them after reporting a crime left them feeling 'vulnerable' and 'alone.'
Codenamed Operation Capture, the concept is currently being trialled in Salford and will mean victims and witnesses of domestic abuse, rape and sexual offences will no longer have to hand over their mobile devices.
The technology will mean that specialist officers are able to extract evidence on electronic devices at the scene of a crime - and most importantly, in the presence of the victim. It allows for only data relevant to the investigation to be downloaded.
Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, said: "In Greater Manchester we want to move as quickly as possible to using technology that places a victim’s interests at the heart of the investigation. It is vital that people have confidence to report a crime to the police and feel safe after doing so.
"Odyssey also means only relevant data is extracted, removing concerns that anything unnecessary will be reviewed or used in the case. Feedback from the Crown Prosecution Service is that Odyssey can play a significant role in helping to make charging decisions.
"Odyssey is an example of how GMP is using innovative ways to support victims, and we are keen to explore other avenues of how technology can be used to better support and protect victims in the city-region."
Detective Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, Head of GMPs Public Protection Division, said: "We know from academic research, victim feedback and support services insights that having mobile devices taken away from victims can leave them feeling disempowered, vulnerable and dramatically impacts on their ability to access their friends, family and things that are critical to them running their day to day lives, so we want to explore new technology to remove the need to do that where possible and this is where utilising the Odyssey Software in this Proof of Concept can assist.
"We also know from our own experience and that of other forces who have used the Odyssey technology, the ability to obtain key evidence there and then at the scene leads to quicker arrests, more charges, increased victim confidence and more convictions so we are excited to be able to use this opportunity to improve how we support and protect victims moving forward.
"The proof of concept is supported and enhanced by our digital forensic experts in providing this new and innovative technology to our front-line police officers."
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Tragedy of 'a perfect son', 18, who died after ingesting poisonous substance bought online
- "See you soon muppets": Man threatened to turn up at ex’s home after 'altercation' with her dad
- PrettyLittleThing advert featuring 'socially irresponsible' images of 16-year-old model banned
- Residents SWELTERING in apartment block "need air" during heatwave as they can't open balcony doors due to cladding work
- There’s a stunning garden an hour’s drive from Manchester - but it’s only open 10 days a year
