Police failed to stop serial rapist, victim says

A former police officer has said her own force failed to stop a man who raped her and was later jailed for attacking other women.

Vicki Tomkins, a police officer of 16 years, told Channel 4 News she went to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in January 2020 to report an attack that left her in hospital.

However, she said the force told her she could have been lying about 39-year-old Bruno Sala, from Havant, who was jailed for life in 2025.

The force said it recognised its investigation had "caused additional distress" and was reviewing parts that fell below expected standards.

Sala met victims on dating apps before offering them to other men for sex and subjecting them to physical and sexual abuse, police and prosecutors previously said.

Ms Tomkins, who has waived her right to anonymity, told Channel 4: "He always wanted other men involved in the relationship despite me not wanting that.

"But you comply because if you don't, you're going to get raped and beaten."

In January 2020, she made allegations of rape and coercive control against Sala, Channel 4 reported.

However, senior detectives declined to progress the case, blaming insufficient evidence and a "discrepancy" in her account, the report said.

Ms Tomkins said: "I'd gone to them and told them the most intimate, horrendous things that have happened to me and they thought I could have been lying.

"I tried, I really tried to report him and get him off the streets. I knew how dangerous he was."

Sala raped at least three other women following Ms Tomkins' complaint, Channel 4 reported.

Joanna, who also waived her right to anonymity, was attacked three months later, according to the broadcaster.

It said a third unnamed victim met Sala in June 2020, and the Portuguese national was charged in 2022 over a fourth victim.

Joanna told Channel 4 that if police had acted sooner "it would have saved me, saved me all the trauma that I need to live with, me and others".

"Who knows how many more are out there?"

In a statement, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said it was holding an internal review.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Bartolomeo said: "We recognise that our handling of aspects of this investigation caused additional distress and accept that it fell below the standards expected.

"Significant leadership changes have taken place, and we have made it unequivocally clear to our officers and staff that victim blaming language is not acceptable.

"Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for the force and we are committed to identifying and relentlessly pursuing perpetrators.

"Following Sala's conviction, we commissioned a review of the initial investigation and our internal response to identify any learning which will include the experiences of the women involved to ensure their voices are heard.

"We are also examining whether there are any further lines of inquiry which can be pursued and investigated. This includes whether any additional victims can be identified and supported so that we can secure justice for them."

The force said there was currently no referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

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