Police ‘should not automatically believe abuse victims’ to avoid another ‘Nick’ scandal

Police officers should not “automatically believe” victims to avoid a repeat of the historic VIP sex abuse scandal, says a senior police chief.

Chief constable Andy Marsh, the head of the college of policing, said police had “overreacted” to criticism of the way forces had handled historic sexual abuse by too readily believing victims.

Instead, he said officers should support people who made accusations and treat them with respect but they should investigate the allegations rather than automatically accepting them at face value.

Carl Beech was convicted of 12 counts of perverting the course of justice following the scandal Credit: Police Handout

Mr Marsh said: “People making accusations must be supported; must be treated with respect, kindness and compassion. But, of course, that doesn’t mean we should automatically believe everything we are told.

“Common-sense, combined with critical thinking, good training and the ability to navigate complex issues confidently, must prevail.”

Read the full article at The Telegraph.