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http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/topstories/4423427.Rape_conviction_rate_rises_in_Hounslow_tha nks_to_legal_team/
Specialist lawyers working on rape cases in Hounslow have helped police achieve the second highest conviction rate in the capital.
Nick Coates, the borough crown prosecutor, said the figures showed victims could be confident their attackers would be brought to justice, and should not suffer in silence.
A total of 62.5 per cent of 24 rapes in Hounslow last year ended with a successful prosecution, up from 60 per cent in 2007-08 and 55.6 per cent in 2006-07.
The rate for the whole of London last year was 47 per cent.
Mr Coates said: “I think it’s down to the fact we have a specialist team dealing with all rape cases.
We have three specialist lawyers, and when a rape case comes in it is allocated to one of those lawyers, and therefore you get continuity.
“Their aim is to make it as straight forward and least painful as possible for victims to give evidence to the best of their ability.”
The development of DNA evidence has also contributed to the rise in convictions, but prosecutors attribute Hounslow’s success to the fact it has three lawyers dedicated to rape cases – more than many other London boroughs.
Mr Coates said Hounslow was “lucky” to have the team, as well as good support from police.
He said: “What we aim to do is ensure there is a confidence at a very early stage.
“The team at Hounslow police that runs the cases there and looks after witnesses do a very good job indeed and have much credit for the figures that we’ve seen over the last three years.
“People are beginning to understand we do take these offences seriously and the courts take them seriously as well.”
Sending a message to rape victims, he said: “Please don’t be afraid to come forward, we will do everything we can to support victims of offences of this nature to make sure we can get a conviction.”
Specialist lawyers working on rape cases in Hounslow have helped police achieve the second highest conviction rate in the capital.
Nick Coates, the borough crown prosecutor, said the figures showed victims could be confident their attackers would be brought to justice, and should not suffer in silence.
A total of 62.5 per cent of 24 rapes in Hounslow last year ended with a successful prosecution, up from 60 per cent in 2007-08 and 55.6 per cent in 2006-07.
The rate for the whole of London last year was 47 per cent.
Mr Coates said: “I think it’s down to the fact we have a specialist team dealing with all rape cases.
We have three specialist lawyers, and when a rape case comes in it is allocated to one of those lawyers, and therefore you get continuity.
“Their aim is to make it as straight forward and least painful as possible for victims to give evidence to the best of their ability.”
The development of DNA evidence has also contributed to the rise in convictions, but prosecutors attribute Hounslow’s success to the fact it has three lawyers dedicated to rape cases – more than many other London boroughs.
Mr Coates said Hounslow was “lucky” to have the team, as well as good support from police.
He said: “What we aim to do is ensure there is a confidence at a very early stage.
“The team at Hounslow police that runs the cases there and looks after witnesses do a very good job indeed and have much credit for the figures that we’ve seen over the last three years.
“People are beginning to understand we do take these offences seriously and the courts take them seriously as well.”
Sending a message to rape victims, he said: “Please don’t be afraid to come forward, we will do everything we can to support victims of offences of this nature to make sure we can get a conviction.”
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