THE Government's decision not to find the £20,000 needed to turn dreams of a centre for victims of sex attacks into reality is bad news indeed.

It means that, after 18 months planning, West Mercia police must be put the idea on hold.

While that's understandably disappointing for them, for the community it represents a significant loss.

The aim of Worcester's Sexual Assault Referral Centre was to encourage victims of rape and sexual assault to report their experience without seeing the police.

Detectives are determined that the setback won't kill off their plans for good, and with great reason.

Such facilities around the world have proved invaluable in two particular ways.

First, victims aren't left with the paralysing take-it-or-leave-it decision to either make a formal complaint or try to deal with the consequences alone.

Second, police gain a valuable opportunity to gather the vital information and intelligence that can help them catch rapists and prevent further attacks.

It really is that simple.

That's why the Government's decision to reject an application for the enabling £20,000 is so staggeringly short-sighted.

We're normally among the first to point out that it's inappropriate to make comparisons between the billions being poured in to the war in Iraq and the very real needs of victims on our own doorstep.

But we'd find it hard to justify, today, if anyone used the argument in the wake of this miscalculation.

Next time it's our grim duty to report a rapist on the loose, that will be harder still.