Harriet PriceITV's Believe Me launched in spring 2026 to critical acclaim — and genuine public shock. The four-part true crime drama, written by Jeff Pope MBE and starring Miriam Petche, Aimée-Ffion Edwards, Aasiya Shah and Daniel Mays as convicted rapist John Worboys, asks one haunting question across all four episodes: why didn't police believe the women who came forward?
The series is based on real events. Between at least 2002 and 2008, Worboys drugged and sexually assaulted passengers in his licensed London black cab. Women reported him repeatedly. Police dismissed case after case. It took over a hundred reported attacks — and the persistence of two survivors — before Worboys was finally arrested and convicted of 19 offences in 2009.
Who Was John Worboys and What Did the System Get Wrong?
Worboys drove a licensed London taxi. He would tell passengers he had won at a casino, offer them champagne or a soft drink, and drug them. Several victims reported the attacks; Metropolitan Police officers repeatedly failed to connect the incidents, dismissed the women's accounts, and in some cases advised against formal investigation.
The institutional failures were later acknowledged by the Metropolitan Police itself and examined through civil proceedings. Two victims — referred to in court documents as DSD and NBV — successfully challenged the police in the European Court of Human Rights in 2018. The Court ruled that the Met's negligent investigation had breached their rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment. The UK was ordered to pay compensation.
The drama's cast has delivered universally praised performances, with Mays in particular drawing comparisons to his earlier work in true crime productions. But the real story behind Believe Me is not about one man's crimes — it is about the decades of institutional failure that allowed those crimes to continue.
What Legal Rights Do Sexual Assault Victims Have in the UK Today?
The UK has strengthened victims' rights substantially since the Worboys case. The Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 enshrined the Victims' Code into primary legislation for the first time, making entitlements enforceable rather than aspirational.
Under the Code, sexual assault victims are entitled to:
- Immediate referral to support services at the first point of contact with police, without needing to make a formal report
- A dedicated single point of contact within the investigating team — typically a trained Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA)
- A Victim Personal Statement to be read at sentencing, giving survivors a formal voice in court
- Information about the offender's release from prison, including conditions attached to licence
- A right to seek review if police or the Crown Prosecution Service decides not to proceed with charges
These rights apply regardless of whether a case ever reaches court. But knowing they exist and actually enforcing them are two different things. A solicitor specialising in victim rights can help survivors navigate the system — particularly where agencies have failed to meet their statutory obligations.
Can You Take Legal Action When Police Fail You?
The Worboys case established one important precedent: victims can, in certain circumstances, successfully challenge police inaction. The legal route is far from straightforward, but it exists.
English law does not impose a general duty of care on police to prevent crimes against individuals. The 2015 Supreme Court case Michael v Chief Constable of South Wales Police confirmed this position, overturning a lower court finding in favour of a victim. The exception — where a duty of care can arise — is when police have specifically assumed responsibility for protecting a particular person.
For most victims, the more accessible routes are:
- A formal complaint to the police force, reviewed internally by its Professional Standards Department
- A referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which investigates serious misconduct allegations independently of the force concerned
- A judicial review, challenging specific decisions — a charging decision, a parole recommendation — where legal criteria are met
- Civil proceedings under the Human Rights Act 1998, in cases where a specific Convention right has been breached
None of these routes guarantees success. With specialist legal advice, victims can understand which pathway applies to their circumstances and what evidence is needed to pursue it. Initial consultations with criminal law solicitors are often provided free of charge.
The Parole Challenge That Changed the Law
In 2018, Worboys was recommended for early release by the Parole Board — a decision that caused widespread public outrage and prompted the DSD and NBV victims to challenge it in the High Court. The court ruled the Parole Board had acted unlawfully and ordered a fresh hearing.
The case had lasting consequences for victims across England and Wales. It established that victims now have the right to request an oral hearing where they can challenge release decisions through their legal representatives. It also triggered a government review of Parole Board procedures, leading to greater transparency in decision-making and the introduction of a new Victims' Right to Review process.
This is the legal legacy of Worboys' victims refusing to stay silent. Not just a compelling television drama, but a direct and documented change in how the UK handles dangerous offenders.
*Believe Me*: What to Do If the Story Resonates
The series is likely to be painful viewing for many. It is also a useful public record of what systemic failure looks like in practice. If the drama raises questions about your own experience or about a situation you are supporting someone through, the following resources offer confidential help:
- Rape Crisis England & Wales — free, confidential support regardless of whether the incident was reported to police
- Victim Support — free, independent charity supporting all victims and witnesses
- The Victims' Code — published in full at GOV.UK and written in accessible language
A specialist solicitor can advise on civil claims, IOPC complaints, and rights in parole proceedings during a confidential initial consultation. Anyone who feels their case was mishandled has more legal options available than many realise.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Anyone affected by sexual violence should seek qualified professional support.
