Met Police Step Up Fight Against Violence on Women and Girls
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap, the Met’s lead on violence against women and girls, hailed the first National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) report as a crucial step in tackling this epidemic. “We want to make London a safe city for women and girls,” she said. Every day, officers are out arresting predatory men and using cutting-edge technology and specialist tactics to bring offenders to justice.
Cracking Down on Corruption Within the Ranks
Millichap made it clear the Met is determined to root out abuse by its own officers. “Identifying and bringing to justice those in the Met who corrupt our integrity by committing abuses against women and girls is vital to rebuilding trust,” she said.
- The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Offences (DASO) Unit now investigates allegations against serving officers and staff, focusing heavily on victim care.
- A new Anti-Corruption and Abuse Command applies high-level investigative skills to identify wrongdoing within the force.
- The Met launched the first-ever public Police Integrity Hotline through Crimestoppers, making it easier to report suspect officers – with plans to roll this out nationwide.
Data Reveals Scale of Police-Perpetrated Abuse
The NPCC report covers 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 and shows nationally there were 1,177 cases involving 1,483 allegations of police-perpetrated violence against women and girls. London’s Met Police alone accounted for 241 cases with 287 allegations.
Shockingly, in just the next six months (September 2022 to February 2023), the Met received 268 new allegations. Millichap stressed the force is urging both the public and officers to come forward via the hotline or direct reports.
Internal vs Public Reporting: The Numbers
- Nationally, 653 internal conduct cases and 524 public complaint cases were recorded, involving 0.7% of the police workforce.
- The Met showed 213 internal cases and 28 public complaints for the same period, equating to 0.5% of staff.
- Recent data from September 2022 to February 2023 revealed 183 internal cases and 28 public complaints, holding steady at 0.5% of the workforce.
Historic Review Underway to Ensure Accountability
The Met’s Project Onyx has audited nearly 1,100 officers and staff with past domestic or sexual misconduct allegations over the last decade. While most cases were already closed with warnings or no further action, the Met is combing through them to spot any missed disciplinary or criminal cases.
“If we uncover any cases requiring further action, immediate suspension or restrictions will be considered,” Millichap vowed. The project will also reassess risk management and vetting procedures to tighten safeguards.
A Future of Zero Tolerance
Millichap promised a refreshed Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Action Plan coming this spring, improving on progress and feedback to date. “Women and girls must feel safe, listened to, and supported with respect and dignity,” she said. “We’re committed to working in partnership and rebuilding confidence.”
