Police are changing the way reports of rape and serious sexual violence are investigated in West Yorkshire.

Operation Soteria - part of Home Office-funded research - is a new national operating model introduced to transform the way police forces investigate the crimes.

The programme is being led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).

Operation Soteria investigations are designed to be victim centred, suspect focused, and context led.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: "Our ultimate aim, following this event, is to better support victims of these crimes all the way from the first call to the police, through to referrals to our key partners; the CPS, and onward through the criminal justice system.

"Rape and serious sexual violence are, at times, complex and challenging crimes and collaborating with partners across West Yorkshire will give the best possible opportunity for justice for those subjected to them."

It comes after West Yorkshire Police hosted a symposium with key voices as part of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Awareness Week.

The event brought together practitioners and subject matter experts from Police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs),Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and other key partner agencies and third sector organisations.

Discussions took place on how organisations can collectively better support victims and survivors of rape and serious sexual violence and achieve better outcomes.

Those in attendance heard a first-hand account from a survivor of violent sexual abuse and rape, and received an overview of each area within the Soteria operating model and what West Yorkshire Police were doing to improve investigations.

Due to the adverse weather conditions, open discussions around best practice and feedback are set to be arranged for a later date.