THAMES Valley Police is being investigated after a woman was raped following a 999 call for help to the force.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) revealed yesterday it is investigating how the force handled the emergency call, made last month by a 22-year-old woman.

A 37-year-old man has since been charged with rape after the incident in Botley Road in the early hours of Friday, December 13.

The investigation is looking at whether a civilian call handler was guilty of misconduct in public office and a sergeant – the control room supervisor – was guilty of gross misconduct.

IPCC Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori said: “These are serious and sensitive issues which demand to be fully and thoroughly investigated independently of the police.”

The IPCC says the investigation will examine the actions taken by the call handler and the supervisor including whether appropriate risk assessments and grading of the call were made.

The force’s response to the reported rape will also be examined.

Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Rebecca Webber said the force had referred itself to the IPCC.

A 37-year-old will appear at Oxford Crown Court on March 24 charged with rape. Three men, aged 34, 35, and 41, arrested on suspicion of rape, are due to answer bail on February 9.