Violence against women and girls classed as national threat

21 February 2023

Derbyshire Police Federation has welcomed the inclusion of violence against women and girls in the 2023 Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR).

The SPR sets out the Home Secretary’s view of what the current national threats are and the national policing capabilities needed to counter them.

It was first issued in July 2012 as part of the previous year’s Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act and was last updated in 2015.

The national threats set out in the latest SPR are:

Violence against women and girls
Terrorism
Serious and organised crime
A national cyber incident
Child sexual abuse
Public order
Civil emergencies.

The inclusion of violence against women and girls as a national threat sets clear expectations for local and regional police capabilities to tackle violence against women and girls and how local forces work with others, including collaborating with other agencies.

Derbyshire Police Federation chair Tony Wetton said: “Violence and abuse of any kind is unacceptable but violence against women and girls is particularly abhorrent so in that context we welcome its inclusion as a specific issue in the latest SPR.”

Police and crime commissioners and chief constables must consider the SPR when carrying out their functions.

Other updates to the SPR include:

A more detailed description of how threats should be tackled by police forces
Strengthened governance and assurance arrangements, including a requirement for more distinct references to SPR in police and crime plans
An enhanced serious and organised crime section, to ensure prominence for crime types such as fraud and organised immigration crime.

Introducing the document, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said she remained steadfast in my support of a ‘common sense policing’ approach

She said: “It is crucial that policing also continues to focus on neighbourhood crime and anti-social behaviour in their local communities, working closely with councils and other local partners who also have a role to play.

“I therefore fully support forces in their commitment to attend the scene of every residential burglary.

“A visible presence in local communities will help to retain the public’s confidence in policing, particularly whilst many are concerned about the rising cost of living.”