Top policeman walks route of sex assault victim

Hamilton's top policeman today followed the route taken by a sexual assault victim told by a 111 operator to walk to the nearest police station.

The claim caused a political storm when it was raised in Parliament yesterday with critics saying the episode was another example of inadequate handling of 111 calls.

Acting district commander Superintendent Pieri Munro said today he had measured the route to judge for himself the distance involved.

"I just wanted to familiarise myself about where she called from and in terms of what distance she had to walk," he said.

He said the distance was just over 600m.

Mr Munro has pledged an urgent review of the handling of the call after it was raised in Parliament by Maori Party leader Tariana Turia yesterday.

It is claimed that at 8.04am on January 27 a woman called 111 saying she had been sexually assaulted.

A female operator asked her if she could go to the West Hamilton station, which is usually staffed between 8am and 4pm.

Police Minister George Hawkins said the case was "appalling" and he wanted answers from the police commissioner.

"The police should have attended the scene immediately," he said.

Mr Munro said police were upset that initial indications were "we may have let a victim down on this occasion".

He said the response by police appeared to have been made because the woman called police four hours after the incident.

An urgent review of the case was under way and he would be able to report back within days.

He said a suspect had been spoken to and the indecent assault complaint was under active criminal investigation.

A detective spoke to the suspect on the morning of the complaint and was awaiting forensic evidence.

"I can promise that we will do everything we possibly can to get justice for this victim."

Mrs Turia raised the case in Parliament as Mr Hawkins came under sustained criticism over his claim women were more worried about road accidents than being attacked, as well as police priorities and the handling of 111 calls.

- NZPA