Violence against women and girls to be given higher priority

22 February 2023

West Mercia Police Federation interim chair Pete Nightingale has responded to the publication of the Home Office’s latest strategic policing requirements (SPRs).

The list sets out the top priorities for chief constables and police and crime commissioners, which for the first time includes violence against women and girls (VAWG) and tackling disruptive public protests from groups like Just Stop Oil.

Pete said: “It is shocking to see figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, which show that nearly 1.7 million women aged 16 and over experienced domestic abuse in the year to March 2022. Women and girls are entitled to feel safe walking the streets and particularly in their own homes.

“Our colleagues are doing vital work investigating these evil crimes and getting justice for the victims but can only do as much as our resources and police numbers allow.

“So, my plea to the Home Secretary and the Force, is really a message of one of give us the tools and resources to do the job.”

Pete said the West Mercia branch was looking to introduce a group of witness care representatives that are able to support officers who are witnesses or victims in proceedings.

These will work independently to the branch misconduct representatives.

“We are keen to ensure that we offer the same level of service and support to those within the witness care programme,” he said.

Under the new proposals the law will be changed so offenders convicted of controlling or coercive behaviour, who are sentenced to a year or more imprisonment or a suspended sentence, will be jointly managed by the police, prison, and probation services.

Pete added: “I welcome the multi-agency approach. We need the courts, probation, health and education to all play their parts if we are to get on top of this issue. It’s not something that policing can be expected to do alone.”

Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “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, including collaborating with other agencies.

“The wide-ranging measures announced will mean the most dangerous offenders will be watched more closely.”