Make women’s safety a national priority, Priti Patel tells police chiefs

POLICE police chiefs have been ordered to make the safety of women and girls a national priority.

Interior Minister Priti Patel requested that addressing violence against women be taken as seriously as terrorism, child abuse and organized crime.

first

She will announce this week it will be added to the strategic policing requirement – ​​meaning every force must have a detailed action plan.

Ms. Patel’s actions come before the first anniversary on Thursday of the kidnapping and murder Sarah Everard, 33 years old.

This order will provide clear direction to sheriffs and outline the forces that must work together, using local and regional capabilities, to protect the public.

Ms Patel is acting on the Queen’s Ombudsman’s response to the Constabulary on tackling violence against women and girls – which she commissioned last year.

“The safety of women and girls is an absolute priority,” she said.

Isabelle Younane, of Women’s Aid, said: “Restoring trust in the police, currently at a horribly low level, is essential to helping women and girls feel safe when reporting abuse – at the end of the day. together to keep many of them out of harm’s way.”