Police praised for ‘vast improvements’ in response to crimes against women and girls
8 July 2021
HMICFRS has published an interim report into how effectively the police engage with women and girls. It said there is an epidemic of offending against women and girls, for example, an estimated 1.6 million women in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the 12 months to March 2020.
But it said it was not just down to the police to tackle the problem with other partners such as the Crown Prosecution Service, health, social care and education also needing to be involved.
“For far too long, it has seemed as if the police are expected to tackle all society’s ills,” says Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, “But, of course, we cannot work in isolation. There needs to be a partnership approach with all sectors pulling together, developing strategies and then working together to ensure that we all play our part in protecting the public and developing an effective criminal justice system. Only then will we be properly supporting the victims of crime.”
The inspectorate’s findings are from its interim report, released now to help inform the Government’s violence against women and girls strategy, with its final report to be published in September.
HMICFRS reviewed evidence from previous inspections, consulted with experts from policing, Government and victim support organisations, and analysed the progress made by the police.
After reviewing the evidence, the inspectorate has recommended that transformation of the whole system is needed, including:
- The Government, police, criminal justice system and public sector should immediately and unequivocally commit to prioritising the response to violence against women and girls, supported by sufficient funding and mandated responsibilities;
- The police should make the relentless pursuit and disruption of perpetrators a national priority, and their capability and capacity to do this should be enhanced; and
- Funding and structures should be put in place to ensure victims receive tailored and consistent support.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham said: “We are living during a national epidemic of violence against women and girls. The prevalence and range of offending and harm is stark and shocking. We are clear that the police have made great progress over the last decade against a backdrop of greater demand, and we want forces to maintain this momentum and build on these improvements. But there is still evidence of inconsistent support for victims and low prosecution rates.
“Offending against women and girls is deep-rooted and pervasive in our society. Urgent action is needed to uproot and address this and police cannot solve this alone. There must be a seamless approach to preventing and tackling violence against women and girls across the whole system, including education, local authorities, health, social care and those from across the criminal justice system – with all agencies working together.
“A radical and immediate change in approach is needed, supported by sustained funding and mandated responsibilities, potentially through a new statutory framework. We need to end violence against women and girls by preventing it, supporting victims, and bringing perpetrators to justice with the full force of police powers and the law.
John Apter, national chair of the Police Federation, said police officers should not face anger from victims for the failings of other agencies and called on other sectors to step up and play their part.
He explained: “This isn’t something that can be solved overnight, or by just recruiting more officers. It’s a complex issue that demands time, attention, and money.”
Read the interim report
