Police chiefs have launched a rare attack on the Crown Prosecution Service for its 'truly awful' new policy of demanding rape victims hand over their mobile phones.
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) warned that faith in the criminal justice system would collapse unless proposals allowing detectives to trawl through victims' private information are ripped up.
Their public criticism of the so-called 'digital strip search' is bolstered by an intervention from the group's deputy commissioner, Julia Mulligan, who was raped as a 15-year-old.
Police chiefs such as rape victim and commissioner Julia Mulligan (left) and commissioner David Lloyd (right) have launched a rare attack on the Crown Prosecution Service for its 'truly awful' new policy of demanding rape victims hand over their mobile phones
'As someone with lived experience, I can tell you that it is hard enough having to live through a sexual attack or rape without having to expose oneself to this 'in return' for an investigation', she told the Observer.
'And to be told you have no chance of justice without doing so is truly awful.'
Her rebuke comes after many other sex attack victims rallied against these 'violating' proposals and prepared to fight them tooth and nail, including the possibility of fronting a legal battle.
Yesterday, the Mail revealed that two women, including a Hollywood actress, have already instructed Harriet Wistrich, of the Centre for Women's Justice.
Today's swipe from Britain's top commissioners may tip the balance in an upcoming review of the digital strip search after a backlash from campaigners forced a major climbdown.
David Lloyd, the APCC's criminal justice lead, said: 'We have no doubt that this form, as it currently stands, should be withdrawn, or it is likely to result in a loss of confidence in the police, the CPS and the criminal justice system more broadly.'
Victims and campaigners like Carrie Symonds (pictured), who was drugged by a serial rapist, have slammed the controversial plans which would allow police to trawl through photos, social media and texts of rape victims
It comes six days after the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) launched the 'consent form' giving access to phone data, with guidance telling victims they must hand over their mobiles or risk their attacker going free.
Nick Ephgrave, the NPCC lead for criminal justice, told the Daily Mail he is 'happy to revise' the plan and is meeting policing minister Nick Hurd to review the 'digital device extraction' form.
Meanwhile, the NPCC, Crown Prosecution Service and College of Policing have also written to victims' groups asking if improvements can be made to the way investigators handle victims' and witnesses' data.
On Monday, Mr Ephgrave and Director of Public Prosecutions Max Hill QC said a new 'digital extraction' consent form had been signed off by police chiefs to standardise the way officers request mobile phone data from those alleging rape, sexual assault and other offences.
Victims are asked to hand over phones and other digital devices such as laptops, and warned: 'If you refuse permission for the police to investigate, or for the prosecution to disclose material which would enable the defendant to have a fair trial, then it may not be possible for the investigation or prosecution to continue.'
It prompted an avalanche of criticism from MPs and victims who likened it to a 'digital witch hunt'. The former head of Scotland Yard Lord Hogan-Howe said it was a 'backward step' that would deter victims from coming forward.
Nick Ephgrave, the NPCC lead for criminal justice, now says that he is 'happy to revise' the plan
On Friday Mr Ephgrave, Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner, said he was listening to victims' concerns, adding: 'We are very happy to revise this.
'We will continue to engage with interested parties to actively consider how it might be improved, although it has been given to forces in its current format.'
A Hollywood actress called on women to join her legal against police yesterday as she revealed that officers dropped her sexual assault claim
