Thematic Inspection
Police response to violence against women and girls: Final inspection report
Published 17 September 2021
Landmark inspection commissioned by the Home Secretary following the murder of Sarah Everard. Found systemic failures in police response to VAWG offences and called for a fundamental shift in priority.
5
Recommendations
National — applies to all forces
Recommendations (5)
| # | Recommendation | Directed at | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | There should be an immediate and unequivocal commitment that the response to VAWG offences is an absolute priority for government, policing, the criminal justice system, and public sector partnerships. This needs to be supported at a minimum by a relentless focus on these crimes; mandated and clear responsibilities; and sufficient funding so that all partner agencies can work effectively as part of a whole-system approach to reduce and prevent the harms these offences are causing. | Government, policing, criminal justice system, public sector partnerships | — |
| 2 | The relentless pursuit and disruption of adult perpetrators should be a national priority for the police, resourced with the appropriate level of capability and capacity. | All police forces | — |
| 3 | Structures and funding should be put in place to make sure victims receive tailored and consistent support. | Government, Police and Crime Commissioners | — |
| 4 | All chief constables should immediately review and ensure that there are consistently high standards in their forces' responses to violence against women and girls and should be supported in doing so by national standards and data. | Chief Constables | — |
| 5 | Immediate review of use of outcomes 15 and 16 in violence against women and girls offences. | Chief Constables, National delivery leads | — |