Police watchdog probes rape case

The IPCC is looking at the way officers handled the original complaint

A fresh police investigation has been launched into the case of a woman who says she was raped by her stepfather while growing up in the Swansea Valley.

South Wales Police will look at claims she was abused for a 10-year period.

Meanwhile the Independent Police Complaints Commission ( IPCC) will investigate the way police originally responded to her allegations.

A national newspaper has covered the woman's story and last month the CPS called for a new investigation.

The woman, who has been given the alias Beth Ellis by the Guardian newspaper, first reported claims of abuse in 2005 but after an initial inquiry, the Crown Prosecution Service ruled that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Now in her 20s, she has moved from the Swansea Valley area.

The Guardian published extracts of her journal and took up her case with the CPS.

She said she was very pleased it had now been re-opened.

She said: "The police are being entirely different this time.

"I've been given a witness liaison officer, which I never had before. It's a very different experience," she said.

The force is reinvestigating the woman's complaints

The IPCC said it was independently investigating "a historic rape case where it is alleged that South Wales Police failed to diligently investigate allegations of serious sexual assaults."

It said its investigation would look at the way the force investigated the alleged assaults and how the complainant was dealt with at the time.

Commissioner Tom Davies said: "Because of the seriousness of the complaint I have decided we should investigate this matter independently.

"Our investigators have met complainant A to discuss her complaints and explained how the investigation will be conducted and have reassured her that it will be handled with sensitivity and vigour.

"The IPCC investigation will be a proportionate search for the truth and will ensure that it does not interfere with the ongoing criminal investigation."

He added: "We will continue to keep the complainant informed of our progress."

The CPS said last month the woman "deserves a thorough investigation of her allegations".