Chief Constable Pippa Mills statement in relation to Sarah Everard

First and foremost the thoughts of everyone in West Mercia Police are with Sarah Everard’s family and friends. Whilst the sentencing hopefully provides some small amount of justice, I recognise that nothing will ever relieve the pain and loss they must be experiencing.

I echo comments made by national colleagues - the police service has been shaken by the abhorrent actions of Wayne Couzens. The crimes he committed against Sarah and the abuse of a position of trust counter everything we stand and strive for as a service.

Like colleagues across the country, I recognise the understandable damage to public trust and confidence in policing. We must now do everything possible to rebuild that faith, to understand women’s fears and concerns and to show beyond doubt that they can put their trust in us.

As an organisation, we will review the key points of learning and best practice that have come to light during this case. We remain absolutely committed to progressing our local plans to prevent violence against women and girls, to keep them safe and to make them feel safe.

In West Mercia, we are focussed on preventing and responding to violence against women and girls. We prioritise domestic abuse, serious sexual offences, stalking and harassment, aiming to bring offenders to justice and support victims.

We work closely with our local partners, taking a joined up approach across our three counties; and we are committed to working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Home Office and other U.K. forces to ensure a clear and coherent approach across policing nationally.

We understand that people may now be apprehensive if approached by a lone police officer, particularly in plain clothes. Our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police Service have released guidance as to steps you can take to check an officers identity and to reassure yourself. This guidance is provided below.

If members of the public have concerns about an officer or member of staff I encourage you to report these via our Professional Standards Department. We also encourage our officer and staff to report any concerns they may have about their colleagues through our internal confidential reporting line. Any concern raised to us is investigated thoroughly.

Verifying an officer's identity and intentions

It is unusual for a single plain clothes police officer to engage with anyone. If that does happen, you should then expect to see other officers arrive shortly afterwards.

If you do find yourself in an interaction with a sole police officer and you are on your own, ask that officer for proof of identity and intentions. Questions like: 

• Where are your colleagues?
• Where have you come from?
• Why are you here?
• Exactly why are you stopping or talking to me?

Try to seek some independent verification of what they say, if they have a radio ask to hear the voice of the operator, even ask to speak through the radio to the operator to say who you are and for them to verify you are with a genuine officer, acting legitimately.

If you feel you are in real and imminent danger and you do not believe the officer is who they say they are seek assistance by shouting out to a passer-by or if you are in the position to do so call 999.

ISSUED: MB, Corporate Communications.