Safeline CEO Warns of “Broken System” as Sexual Assault Cases Collapse Over Lost Evidence

Safeline’s CEO, Neil Henderson, warns of a “broken system” after new data revealed that thousands of criminal cases are collapsing every year due to lost or damaged evidence. The data includes hundreds of sexual assault cases.

Speaking on GB News, Henderson responded to figures from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) showing over 30,000 prosecutions fell through between October 2020 and September 2024. Among them were 550 sexual assault cases and 70 involving homicide.

“It’s another kick in the teeth for victims, who are being let down left, right and centre.” Henderson told GB News. “We are seeing a big decrease of victims not coming forward because they have lost faith in the system”.

The warning comes as public confidence in the justice system continues to weaken, particularly among survivors of sexual abuse. Henderson’s comments echo widespread frustration, with fellow campaigners describing the issue as a “devastating blow” to survivors seeking justice.

The Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) records thousands of cases each year under the category “E72” – used when prosecutions collapse due to critical evidence being missing, damaged, or lost. A BBC and University of Leicester investigation found E72 cases have risen by 9% since 2020.

Lost evidence includes:

• Body camera footage and victim interviews

• Forensic evidence mishandled during storage

• Witness statements missing or unavailable

• Physical evidence never collected from crime scenes

While the Home Office says it expects police to follow National Police Chiefs’ Council guidelines on evidence handling, the data suggests systemic resourcing issues are contributing to these failures.

At Safeline, our Independent Sexual Violence Advocates (ISVAs) support survivors navigating the criminal justice system. We join calls for urgent reform in evidence handling and resourcing, as well as trauma-informed practice that puts survivors at the centre.

Stay up to date with Safeline’s work by following us on Social Media:

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X!