Human rights lawyer Harriet Wistrich has claimed that police failures in the investigation of serial rapist John Worboys allowed him to 'perfect' his crimes and continue assaulting women. Wistrich, who is portrayed by Philippa Dunne in the new ITV drama Believe Me, spoke exclusively about the case.
The 'Perfect Crime'
Wistrich, founder of the Centre for Women's Justice, described Worboys' modus operandi as a 'perfect crime'. He would pose as a licensed black cab driver, offer drugged champagne to lone women, assault them while unconscious, and drop them home. Victims often had no memory of the attack. 'The shocking aspect was the serial rapist nature of his attacks, and the fact that this was effectively enabled by totally inadequate policing,' she said.
Police Failures Exposed
The drama focuses on two women, Sarah and Laila, who reported assaults but felt disbelieved by police. They sued the Metropolitan Police under the Human Rights Act, winning all the way to the Supreme Court in 2018. Wistrich noted that police dismissed cases due to lack of date rape drugs, but toxicology showed other sedatives. 'The police failed them so badly,' she said.
- Worboys was convicted in 2009 for 12 victims and in 2019 for four more, but suspected total exceeds 100.
- Victims also overturned his parole in 2018, leading to law changes.
- Carrie Symonds, now wife of Boris Johnson, appears in the drama after her own narrow escape from Worboys.
Systemic Issues
Wistrich highlighted dangerous narratives that women fabricate complaints. 'No one's going to make it up and go through that process,' she said. She also criticised campaigns promoting black cabs, which victims found traumatic. The drama airs on ITV and STV from May 10 at 9pm, with all episodes on ITVX and STV Player.
