West Mercia Police wins regional VAWG award.

The Safer Streets Project, launched by Herefordshire LPA, has been judged a regional winner at the first National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing’s recognition event for police officers, staff and volunteers who are working to tackle violence against women and girls.

 

The Safer Streets Project, launched by Herefordshire LPA, has been judged a regional winner at the first National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing’s recognition event for police officers, staff and volunteers who are working to tackle violence against women and girls.

Under the Making Spaces Safer category, Hereford Local Policing Area entered the work they had done specifically targeting street harassment, violence, stalking, sexual assault, rape and domestic abuse perpetrated in public.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Whitworth, Chief Inspector Greg Tudge and Inspector Julie Watson, working with local partners, including West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC), West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA), Hereford Arts College, Herefordshire Council, Hereford Night In, Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership, Herefordshire Women’s Equality group and Vennture, delivered a wide range of activities with the intention of improving the safety, and perceptions of safety, of women and girls in Herefordshire.

The recognition event was developed and judged jointly by police forces and representatives from charities including SafeLives, Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Karma Nirvana, alongside the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, and police staff associations. Over 140 entries were received which were initially judged regionally by police and third sector panels, before being put in front of a national panel who decided the 13 overall winners.

All winning entries had to demonstrate how they built trust and confidence, that their approach was victim-centred, and they had to show impact, including how they were pursuing perpetrators. Judges were impressed with the effectiveness of many of the entries, giving particular praise to those officers, staff and volunteers who listened to victims and survivors, and then shaped their activity accordingly.

Chief Inspector Greg Tudge said:

“I’m really proud that Herefordshire Safer Streets project has been recognised with a regional award.

“We’ve been working on the project for the last two years and have developed strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders. This effective partnership working has resulted in several key initiatives being implemented in the city to help reduce violence against women and girls.

These initiatives include 43 CCTV cameras on key routes walked to and from the city, additional street lighting and improvements to the environmental design of two subways. We have also strengthened the guardianship in the city by expanding the street pastors and providing two vehicles to widen their patrols.

“The education element of the project has involved inputs to thousands of students at our local colleges and to night-time economy staff. These inputs have been used to raise awareness of VAWG, staying safe in the NTE and encouraging bystanders to intervene.

“Running throughout the project has been our overarching ‘Time For Change’ campaign and educational video.

“These initiatives will help to make the city a safer place, reduce VAWG offences and reassure our local communities.”

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Cooper said:

“I’m absolutely delighted that our Herefordshire officers have won a regional award for the work they have done to improve women’s safety in public spaces. 

I’d like to congratulate Chief Inspector Greg Tudge, Detective Chief Inspector Emma Whitworth and Inspector Julie Watson who have been instrumental in setting up the Hereford Safer Streets Project.  The project targeted VAWG offences of street harassment, violence, stalking, sexual assault, rape and domestic abuse perpetrated in public spaces. 

Working with our local partners was critical to the success of the project, not only resulting in improved practical help such as installing new CCTV cameras, but also greater public engagement, better understanding of some of the root causes of violence against women and girls and how we can help prevent and detect offences.

I’d like to thank CI Tudge and his team for their dedication, tenacity, commitment, and sheer hard work in bringing the project to fruition and taking action to deliver on a Force priority to tackle violence against women and girls and help make Herefordshire a safer place.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said:

“On behalf of communities across West Mercia, congratulations to the Herefordshire officers who have been nationally recognised for their important work to tackle violence against women and girls through the Safer Street 4 project.

“As Commissioner, I am clear that more must be done to tackle this societal problem. The work of DCI Whitworth, CI Tudge and Insp. Watson alongside partners is testament to the diligence and determination of those on the frontline who are working tirelessly to break the cycle of violence.

“I look forward to supporting more initiatives through the next round of Safer Streets 5 funding to build further on progress in order to make a Safer West Mercia.”

DCC Maggie Blyth, National Police Chiefs’ Council violence against women and girls’ coordinator, said:

“Thank you to everyone who works in policing and whose focus is on making society safer for women and girls.

“Having regional and national judging panels made up of experts from inside and outside policing have really helped us to focus on winners who have demonstrated both an understanding of what victims want and expect, but also on activity that is sustainable. It’s only by modelling this excellent work that we can hope to achieve consistency for women and girls across our police forces. Entries also showed how we are pursuing perpetrators and showing them that there is nowhere to hide. We all want policing to achieve more and although we still have much to do, I am heartened by the quality of work that is underway.”