HAMPSHIRE’S police force has apologised and paid a rape victim £20,000 after admitting she had been treated wrongly.

The 17-year-old woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was arrested by the force in 2012 on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and tried to kill herself as a result.

Her rapist was later convicted and jailed for five years and Hampshire Constabulary has apologised and vowed to ensure similar incidents do not happen again.

Chief superintendent David Powell, admitting the initial handling of the case had been poor, said: “We have already personally apologised to the victim and her mother and I repeat here now that we are sorry for how we have let her down.

“The initial officers involved did not treat this victim in a way that she or any other victim would deserve to be treated. We deeply regret this.”

And addressing other victims of sexual assault, he said: “We do believe you, we appreciate how hard it is to come forward to report these offences.

“We are doing everything to ensure that we never have an initial response like this again.”

Police have reached an agreement with the woman after she began proceedings against them using the Human Rights Act.

She was arrested after reporting the attack but forensic tests on her clothes did not return a result.

Eventually the Crown Prosecution Service ordered new tests and her attacker was jailed in 2013.

Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: "I am appalled by the way the victim and her family have been treated in this case and would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to them.  

"It is entirely unacceptable for victims of crime not to be listened to and taken seriously.  I would like to reassure the public that since I have been in post there have been significant changes to the way sexual assault cases are handled by the Constabulary.  These changes in procedure should mean that the series of events that led to this particular victim being re-victimised by the police and not receiving appropriate justice, would not be permitted to happen again in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

"The public will also welcome the fact that, under new legislation introduced earlier this year, no officer involved in misconduct proceedings can resign or retire before a judgement is made on their conduct.  This sends out a strong message to police officers that they are public servants who are expected to put victims at the heart of criminal justice - treating them with the utmost respect and dignity."