Lothian & Borders Introduce Rape And Sexual Offences Team

The Lord Advocate, The Rt. Hon. Elish Angiolini QC, today welcomed the creation of a sexual offences team in the Lothian and Borders Procurator Fiscal Area.

Speaking during a visit to Amethyst, a multi-agency public protection unit in Edinburgh, the Lord Advocate said that the new prosecution team will improve the training provided to depute fiscals working in this sensitive area of crime, and help to implement some of the recommendations of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s Review of Rape and Sexual Offences.

Mrs Angiolini said: “Rape and serious sexual offences are some of the most vile crimes which can be committed in society. We all have a responsibility to respond to offences of sexual violence with determination, and sensitivity to victims.

“As a result of the review of rape and sexual offences staff across the prosecution service will be trained to a high standard to ensure a consistent and professional approach to these crimes. The aim is to offer the very best level of service that we can, and prosecute where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so.

“Deputes will spend around six months at a time in the Sexual Offences Team, accelerating the experience and training for staff in these areas. This is a very sensitive and emotionally draining area of crime in which to work, and we also have to take into account the welfare of people working in this field.”

The Lord Advocate was accompanied on the visit to Amethyst by Lesley Thomson, Interim Area Procurator Fiscal for Lothian and Borders, and Michelle Macleod, District Procurator Fiscal for Linlithgow who is the operational lead for the new team.

The Sexual Offences Team is based in Edinburgh Procurator Fiscal’s Office, but will work on cases covering the whole of Lothian and Borders. One member of the team is based part-time in Amethyst working closely with the police investigative teams there.

Detective Chief Inspector Adrian Lawrie of Lothian and Borders Police, said:

“Lothian and Borders Police are delighted by the introduction of a Sexual Offences Team for the Lothian and Borders area. This dedicated team will bring huge value to specialist officers working in this sensitive area of criminal investigation, but more importantly also to the victims of these distressing offences.

“Early and on-going communication between the police and prosecutors is vital. The presence of a Procurator Fiscal at Amethyst demonstrates the worth of police officers and prosecutors working more closely, in the same office, discussing cases and learning from each other. However, we are always mindful that these cases involve real people and real distress.

“We are committed to providing the best service possible to victims and to investigate crime to the best of our ability and we recognise the need to seek improvements to the way in which we work. We are currently working closely with COPFS to implement the recommendations relative to the police from the Sexual Offences Review.”

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is currently taking forward the 50 recommendations made by the Review of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences which were published in June 2006. The Lothian and Borders Sexual Offences Team has been established as one way in which the fiscal service in this Area can implement and reinforce the recommendations in relation to training of staff, and improving communications with the police.

The Sexual Offences Team was established at the start of October and is already involved in the investigation and preparation for trial of a number of allegations of rape and other sexual offences.

The Sexual Offences Team forms part of the Area High Court Unit, which also includes the Major Crime Team and the Homicide Team.

The Sexual Offences Team comprises two Procurator Fiscal Deputes and two precognition officers, and is led by Michelle Macleod, District Procurator Fiscal for Linlithgow.

Of the 50 recommendations made by the Review of Rape and Serious Sexual Offences 19 recommendations have been completed to date. Implementation of all 50 recommendations is scheduled to take place by the end of June 2009.

Amethyst was opened in September 2006 and consists of more than 70 staff including: police officers, support staff, senior health officials and social workers. It deals with all aspects of child and vulnerable adult protection, sexual crimes, domestic abuse and sex offenders.