Crisis-hit Met unveils plan to keep women safe on streets

Met chief: I want to repair precious bond that has been broken with public

- Anthony France

SCOTLAND Yard today pledged to regain the trust of women after being buffeted by an unprecedented crisis in public confidence since the murders of Sarah Everard, Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman.

Met Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick launched an action plan that aims to tackle violence against women and girls. She has already promised to root out sexual misconduct and domestic violence by her own officers and staff.

She is seeking to repair a “precious bond broken” by recent scandals that have led to calls for her to resign.

Dame Cressida was meeting with community groups from Lambeth and Southwark at Brixton police station this afternoon as the action plan was announced. The plan seeks to increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice for violence against females, improve victim care across the justice system and reduce repeat victimisation.

Dame Cressida said she would increase women’s confidence in the police and, in doing so, improve the reporting of crimes.

The Met will also step up police activity around bars and nightclubs, with plain-clothed and uniform officers deployed together in a bid to identify and prevent predatory offending.