Home Secretary Suella Braverman has included violence against women and girls in the 2023 Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR), putting it on a par with terrorism, serious and organised crime and child sexual abuse, and has told police to make tackling it a priority.

Police, prison and probation services will work together under new laws to jointly manage offenders with a conviction of controlling or coercive behaviour sentenced to at least a year or a suspended sentence. Abusers will also be recorded on the violent and sex offender register.

Luke said: “Tackling violence against women and girls has to be a priority and we welcome its inclusion on the Strategic Policing Requirement list.

“Violence against women and girls is a growing menace and one where we must work together to stamp out.

“With proper resourcing and appropriate officer numbers we will do all we can to make sure everyone in our communities feels safe and secure.”

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.

The Home Office also announced plans to develop a new digital tool to help police identify likely perpetrators, even those without convictions.

Ms Braverman added: “Domestic abuse is a despicable crime that leads to people’s closest relationships becoming a frightening existence of torment, pain, fear, and anxiety.

“It is completely unacceptable and as Home Secretary I will do everything in my power to stop it.”

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

It was first issued in July 2012 as part of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 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.

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

Launching the document, Ms Braverman said: “I remain steadfast in my support of a ‘common sense policing’ approach and I am mindful that a lot of police work is not covered by the parameters of the SPR but remains vitally important.

“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.”