POLICE chiefs today came under fire for waiting nearly six days to warn the public that a bogus taxi driver had raped a woman in Edinburgh.
The 26-year-old victim was attacked after getting into what she thought was a private hire cab in the West End at 2.15am on Sunday morning.
But senior officers only decided to release an alert that the rapist was at large and may be masquerading
as driver at 10am yesterday.
The move was criticised as "totally unfair" to city women who faced their "worst nightmare" of being abducted and attacked.
It was the latest in a series of serious incidents where police have been were criticised for delaying informing the public.
The force defended its decision and said the traumatised victim had to be carefully interviewed before details of the incident could be made public.
The victim was picked up outside the Hudson Hotel in Hope Street and the driver took her to Brunstane Road South, where she is believed to have been assaulted inside the car. She was then dragged out of the vehicle and left in the street.
Councillor Eric Milligan, a member of the police board, criticised the force for failing to act sooner to issue a warning. He said: "If the police have waited six days, then they can't be surprised why they are facing questions over why it took so long.
"It's for the police to answer the charge of why they've been slow. They have a responsibility to flag up these kind of incidents to the public as quickly as possible. You never know what someone like this might do.
"The public has a right to know what's happening."
Fellow board member Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said: "Six days is too long. What happened on Sunday was every woman's worst nightmare.
"It's totally unfair to leave women in ignorance."
Lothians MSP Gavin Brown acknowledged the "difficult balancing act" the police face, but supported the public's right to know about potential dangers.
He added:
"By making the public aware, potential witnesses who may have a small but significant piece of information know to come forward when it's still fresh in their mind."
Police chiefs defended the process with which they decide to release information to the public, citing a need for accuracy and avoiding the spread of panic.
A police spokesman said: "Our primary concern is public safety, and that is paramount in our thoughts when it comes to getting information to the wider public.
"When we do release details of a crime or incident, we must be entirely satisfied that the information is accurate in order that we do not mislead people, or cause unnecessary alarm.
"At the same time, we also have to consider the implications of releasing that information from an investigative point of view.
"Such is the nature of many enquiries, that it may take some time for the full details of an offence to emerge, and on those occasions it is necessary to be confident about the facts before releasing information.
"While we understand the concerns of the public, and appreciate their assistance, we would also ask that they understand the sensitive nature of some of our investigations requires a carefully considered approach."
Officers are studying CCTV footage in a bid to identify the suspect or his vehicle.
Police are also to quiz taxi and private hire drivers who were in the area at the time the woman was picked up.
The vehicle was a four-door saloon car, and the suspect is described as being black, 5ft 8in tall, around 30 years old, with short black hair, and wearing a red T-shirt and jeans.
WHY THE SILENCE?LOTHIAN and Borders Police has been criticised for waiting too long to make public other incidents in Edinburgh over recent months.
• Three men threatened a 38-year-old man at knifepoint and robbed him of cash between 8pm and 8.30pm on Wednesday in London Road. A warning was issued to the public yesterday.
• In an apparently unrelated incident, a 31-year-old man was mugged on London Road at 5.30am on Sunday by three men who knocked him to the ground. Officers only issued a warning about the incident on Wednesday.
• A group of youths were spotted attacking a man in Tollcross on July 12. Three days later, the details were released.
• A 44-year-old man suffered fractures to his face and chest after being beaten up by a gang of men while walking from Royal Terrace towards London Road on June 29. The public were informed on July 2.
• A 16-year-old boy was assaulted in Baberton by two youths on June 25. The public were not warned about the incident until July 22.
