Millions of crimes of violence, abuse and harassment against women and girls are recorded each year. These figures are simply unacceptable.

Lead of PFEW’s National Women’s Group, Sue Honeywill, said: “To hear that two female police officers were sexually assaulted at Notting Hill Carnival is staggering. We as police officers are expected to investigate sexual assault as a priority and rightly so, but to have two of our own become victims of this horrendous crime whilst performing their policing duties to keep people safe is heinous.

“It must be the case that crimes of sexual violence against female police officers committed very openly and publicly are thoroughly investigated and robustly condemned.  Sexual assault against anyone is completely unacceptable. We must stand up to, and hold to account, anyone who commits this horrendous crime.”