Mayoral statement over HMICFRS report into how effectively police engage with women and girls

17th September 2021

Following the release today (17/09) of the final national report into how effectively police engage with women and girls, the West Yorkshire Mayor has delivered a local statement.

The report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) was commissioned by the Home Secretary in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard in March this year.

The inspectorate carried out a root and branch review of the policing response to Violence Against Women and Girls, from prevention work in schools to the management of the most dangerous offenders.

West Yorkshire’s Mayor, Tracy Brabin said:

“I share the concerns highlighted in this latest national report about the closing of cases and gaps in data recording when it comes to violence against women and girls, however, I know that we are in a strong position locally to change the status quo.

“From the outset, I recognised the need for more to be done to improve the safety of women and girls in our county, which is why it forms one of my key pledges.

“As the HMICFRS report makes clear, it is crucial that we take a partnership approach in order to succeed across this complex subject area, and I welcome the suggestion of a statutory duty to encourage a whole-system approach, as well as a single overarching policing strategy.

“If we begin with a fundamentally different outlook, we can collectively build a response that meets the needs of victims and survivors, whilst changing the behaviours and attitudes towards women.

“Here in West Yorkshire, we have already begun to shape our future response with partners, having opened a ‘call for evidence’ in August, which concludes today (17/09). You can still submit evidence by e-mailing Consultation.PC@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. More recently, we also held a virtual roundtable event with hundreds of delegates, including those with lived experience, to capture their views and ideas.

“All this, including the recommendations from this HMICFRS report, will contribute to our latest Police and Crime Plan, which is currently out for consultation until 19th November 2021. Details about how you can #TellTracy are available via our website.”