Kent Police sign lists rape as ‘non-emergency’ crime

• Kent Police have come under fire.
• For categorizing rape and sexual assault as “non-emergency”.
• Prompting criticism from victims and the Women’s Equality Party.

For categorizing rape and sexual assault as “non-emergency” offenses on a sign in a police station, Kent Police has come under fire.

Residents of Maidstone were exhorted by the A4 printout to submit “non-emergency enquiries” using an online form.

Fraud, missing persons, and antisocial behavior were all on the list.

According to the police, it was a part of their Click B4 U Call program, which urged individuals to use online reporting when appropriate to free up call handlers.

The police department stated the poster, which was displayed by a police officer at the front desk of Maidstone police station, has since been taken down.

It has been replaced by a poster that offers more precise instructions on how to report offenses to the police.

The Women’s Equality Party’s chief executive, Catherine Smith, expressed concern over the message the sign would have given to the victims of these atrocities.

“There needs to be a human involved in speaking to the people who experience this,” she said.

“It demonstrates that the police are not prioritizing this crime, and it sends a message to women that what happened to them is not something serious.”

Det Ch Supt Emma Banks said Kent Police urged anyone in immediate danger to call 999.

“Doing so can make the difference between arresting a suspect at the scene and in some cases saving a life,” she said.

“We also support victims in reporting offences in a number of other ways, often for crimes which are not in progress and which may have happened in the past. This can be done online, or through means including text messaging services.

“In some cases you will be offered an immediate video call with an officer, and when appropriate a patrol will be sent to see you.”

Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott described the sign as “completely wrong and totally inappropriate”.

“It should never have been put up and was rightly taken down,” he said in a tweet.

Det Ch Supt Banks further stated that Kent Police took “extremely serious” the investigations into rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

“All reports of rape or sexual assault, made through whatever channel are reviewed by a detective sergeant, and are ultimately overseen by a senior officer as part of a thorough review process aimed at ensuring justice and support for all victims,” she said.

Also Read

Ex London police officer who killed Sarah Everard sentenced

Wayne Couzens was sentenced to 19 months in prison. For indecent exposure...