FOI 387202

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 387202

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 3^rd February 2025.  Please find below the response to your request:

1. How many reports have been made to West Mercia Police of sexual assaults which are alleged to have taken place at West Mercia hospitals between November 2022 and November 2024?
2. How many reports have been made to West Mercia Police of rape which are alleged to have taken place at West Mercia Police hospitals between November 2022 and November 2024?
3. How many of the above points 1 and 2 were reported to have taken place on a hospital ward?
4. How many people have been charged with sexual assault/rape re. 1 and 2 above?

Reply

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at section 1(1) (b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.

In respect the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) I can confirm that West Mercia Police does hold information in respect of your request. Please see enclosed:-

Caveat: The location premises type is not a mandatory field and is not routinely completed.  If the location type has not been completed and the name of the location does not include one of the above keywords then it will not be included in this return.

Question 3. West Mercia Police are unable to break down the locations any further as there are separate fields for this and incidents are generally just recorded as occurring in “named unit”.  West Mercia Police are therefore unable to provide this information.

Question 4. How many people have been charged with sexual assault/rape re. 1 and 2 above?

• 1