Responding to the publication of the NPCC’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) performance report, Police Now’s Executive Team have released a statement on behalf of the organisation:

Last month, the Home Secretary published the Strategic Policing Requirement which added violence against women and girls as one of the biggest threats to public safety. No one should have to live in fear. No one should live in the knowledge that they are more likely to fall victim of a violent crime due to their gender. It is even more deplorable when this happens at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect them.

There is a long way to go to eradicate this kind of crime, and whilst we recognise the report reflects where policing was 12-18 months ago, we call upon every part of policing to rally together to ensure that the report produced next year demonstrates significant progress.

Tackling every aspect of violence against women and girls must remain a priority, and clear and measurable progress will better enable the public to trust their police service. A critical component is ensuring the right people are recruited into policing – people who are passionate about tackling crime and injustice, supporting victims and wider communities, and transforming culture. We are committed to continuing to work alongside forces and the wider sector to support these national efforts in every possible way.