Five Metropolitan police officers have been disciplined after an inquiry found they missed crucial chances to catch a London black cab driver who was a serial sex attacker, a police watchdog said today.
John Worboys (51) was jailed indefinitely in 2009 for raping one woman and attacking 11 others in his cab. He attacked his women passengers by plying them with champagne laced with sedatives after telling them he had won money at casinos or on the lottery, and persuaded them to celebrate with him.
Newspaper reports speculate he could have assaulted up to 100 others.
A report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said a proper investigation could have stopped some of the attacks.
"The number of victims in these cases and the public reaction to the police response has undoubtedly acted as a wake-up call to the Met in its response to the victims of sexual violence," said IPCC Commissioner for London, Deborah Glass.
Worboys's victims have complained the police often did not believe them or take their cases seriously.
Of the five officers disciplined, one detective constable and one detective inspector received written warnings, and the other three received formal words of advice, it said.
The IPCC said its investigation found police missed chances to catch Worboys due to "individual errors of judgment as well as more systemic issues."
Worboys was arrested back in July 2007 after a woman reported being assaulted by a cab driver. He was bailed pending further inquiries, but the investigation was closed in October 2007 because of insufficient evidence, the IPCC said.
Worboys went on to attack a further seven women before he was arrested for a second time and subsequently charged in February 2008.
Reuters