Violence Against Women and Girls

Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG): Our Approach

Statement from Richard Cooper, Assistant Chief Constable  

In 2021 the country, and the police service, was disgusted by the abhorrent actions of Wayne Couzens. He abused his position of trust as a police officer – something that goes against everything this service stands and strives for. Sarah Everard and her family and friends have been in our thoughts ever since.

We recognise the damage to public trust and confidence in policing caused over recent years and we are committed to rebuilding this and showing, beyond doubt, that you can put your trust in us, your local police service.  

Our plan exists to ensure we are doing all we can to understand women’s fears and concerns, to help them be safe and to feel safe, and to target those who cause women harm. We prioritise domestic abuse, serious sexual offences, stalking and harassment with the aim of bring offenders to justice and ensuring the right support victims. Our focus is on tackling those who pose a risk to women and girls and to make West Mercia a safer place to be female. Where women and girls are subject to crime, we want to provide an outstanding and compassionate service.  

We are working with our local partners to ensure we share information to help reduce risk, prevent offending, and recognise and address hidden vulnerabilities. We are making robust use of domestic violence protection notices and improved scrutiny of domestic abuse investigations where women or girls are victims. Our work has also included, supported by the Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, making improvements to CCTV and street lighting (thanks to information gathered by online Street Safe reporting and funding from the Government’s Safer Streets initiative).  

We are also 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.