Safety of women prioritised a year after Sarah's murder

HOME Secretary Priti Patel is to make tackling violence against women a top priority for England’s police on the anniversary of Sarah Everard’s murder.

- David Maddox

The minister is expected to announce this week that the offence should be treated on a par with fighting terrorism, organised crime and child abuse.

It comes a year after the brutal kidnapping, rape and murder of Ms Everard in London by Met Police firearms officer Wayne Couzens on March 4, 2021.

As part of the Government’s Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy published in July last year, the Home Secretary appointed Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) Maggie Blyth as the new national policing lead to drive improvements across forces.

Her role includes the co-ordination of policing efforts, and she has led the publication of the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s national framework for delivery of the police’s strategy in response to the issue.