PCC responds to release of first national statistics on police performance in relation to tackling VAWG
14.03.23 - Merseyside
Today, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing have released the first national statistics on police performance in relation to tackling VAWG.
This report includes data on police-perpetrated violence against women and girls, which describes violence carried out by a member of a police service including sexism and misogyny.
The report covers data supplied by police forces across the UK, for the period between October 2021 and March 2022.
In response to the publication of the figures, Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “There is no place for perpetrators of violence against women and girls in our police service. The public rightly holds policing to the very highest standards and it is essential every police officer, PCSO and staff member meets those standards.
“Each and every incident reported is deeply alarming and must be investigated thoroughly to ensure perpetrators are rooted out and swift and robust sanctions are taken, including bringing offenders before the courts.
“The release of these national figures today is designed to provide the public with greater transparency on this issue and demonstrates the focus being made by policing nationally to demonstrate its accountability and ensure the highest standards and behaviours in policing.
“Local data has also been proactively released by the Chief Constable here in Merseyside to demonstrate the importance she is putting on addressing this issue and her commitment to eradicating any inappropriate behaviour within her workforce.
“There is zero tolerance for this behaviour in Merseyside and as the national lead on vetting, the Chief Constable is at the forefront of this work, ensuring policing as a whole is better able to identify wrongdoing, strengthening vetting procedures and taking tough action on anyone found not to meet the standards the public expect and deserve.
“It is essential the public, and women and girls, have confidence in our police service, if we are to tackle violence against women in the community. Producing these statistics and monitoring the progress is a key way policing can demonstrate it is tackling this issue and its determination to build back trust and confidence with the public and, in particular, those who have suffered at the hands of perpetrators.
“These figures are a year old, so the release of the next assessment will be critical – policing must be able to show to the public that improvements are being made year on year.
“As Police Commissioner, my priority is to create a safe region for all – that means for all women and girls. This epidemic cannot be tackled by any one agency or organisation in isolation. Through my Merseyside-wide Tackling Violence Against Women And Girls Delivery Plan I am focused on bringing all partners together to protect women and girls, prevent violence, pursue offenders and ensure tackling VAWG is prioritised and treated with urgency.
“I will continue to closely monitor the progress being made by the police and all our partners to ensure we are doing everything possible to make our region safer for all women and girls.”
The National figures can be viewed here: First violence against women and girls benchmark published (npcc.police.uk)
See Merseyside Police’s figures and the Chief Constable’s statement here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2023/march/statement-from-chief-constable-serena-kennedy-following-publication-of-report-into-progress-in-tackling-violence-against-women-and-girls/
Anyone affected by crime can contact the PCC’s Victim Care Merseyside service for support. Call Freephone 0808 175 3080 on weekdays between 8am and 6pm, or request support online at www.victimcaremerseyside.org at any time.
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind, support is available through the PCC’s dedicated aftercare support service. In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.