Hertfordshire’s police and crime commissioner has called for a “digital strip search” of sexual assault victims to be withdrawn.

David Lloyd said the digital evidence consent form, which would require rape victims to hand over personal data or face the possible collapse of their case, would broadly result in a “loss of confidence” in the justice system.

The commissioner, who also leads criminal justice at the National Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, led the campaign after last week’s announcement of a new document victims would have to sign.

There has also been resistance by campaigners who call it a “digital strip search” which they fear a defence might use to discredit a complainant.

Mr Lloyd said: “We have no doubt this form, as it currently stands, should be withdrawn, or it is likely to result in a loss of confidence in the police, the CPS and the criminal justice system more broadly.

“Many technology companies have made clear that technology can help us with this issue – allowing prosecutors and police to have access only to relevant information on mobile devices.

“We are ready to work closely with the director of public prosecutions, police chiefs and the attorney general to ensure that any work to improve the system around disclosure is appropriate and has the confidence and safeguarding of victims at its centre.”

National Association of Police and Crime Commissioners victims lead Dame Vera Baird added: “In our communities, rape and sex offence complainants are telling us that unless they grant unfettered access to their mobile devices, they are told that their case will not be proceeded with.

“There are also a large number of examples where material unconnected to the facts of the case and sometimes months or years before on entirely different topics has been handed by the CPS to the defence and used at court to try to discredit the complainant. These examples are all from sexual assault and rape cases.

“Whilst we recognise that police must pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry and disclose anything that may undermine the prosecution or assist the defence, this form has been called a digital strip search by campaigners.

“CPS policy officials have admitted that demands for this kind of material have gone too far in the past. The way to get balance is surely to consult with victims’ representatives as well as those who defend.”