LONDON: The Metropolitan Police has launched a sweeping review into its investigation of sex crimes following the collapse of two rape cases in the past week.

The force has confirmed the same detective was the investigating officer in both collapsed cases, and that he remains on full duty in the sexual offences investigation unit.

Scotland Yard said every case currently being considered for prosecution will be looked at again “to ensure that all digital evidence has been properly examined, documented and shared with the CPS to meet obligations under disclosure.”

The prosecution against Isaac Itiary for alleged child rape collapsed on Tuesday following last week’s halted rape trial of student Liam Allan, 22, following problems relating to the disclosure of evidence.

In the child rape case, the CPS offered no evidence against the defendant  Itiary at his trial at Inner London Crown Court.

The Met said material had not been disclosed to Isaac’s defence team until lawyers asked for it, in a breach of procedure.

The defendant was charged in July this year, but police only disclosed further “relevant material” in response to the defence case statement submitted on Dec.15.

A CPS spokesman said: “On Dec.17 2017, the police provided new material to the CPS, which had previously been requested, and this was reviewed.

“Prosecutors decided that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction and we offered no evidence against the defendant at a hearing today (Tuesday).” The Met announced a review of the Itiary investigation as well all other live probes by the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (CASO) command, where Scotland Yard is in discussion with the CPS.

The Independent