Couzens harmed police legitimacy, admits force
West Midlands Police in new drive to improve women’s safety
WEST Midlands Police has admitted its own credibility was ‘‘deeply damaged’’ after Wayne Couzens was jailed for life for murder.
The admission comes as the force reveals it has investigated more than 250 drink spiking reports in the past 12 weeks.
Police are working closely with venues across the region with most now carrying out enhanced ID and security checks and its staff removing any unattended drinks straight away.
The National Police Chief’s Council has launched a framework aimed at tackling violence against women and girls and giving victims a consistently high standard of service across all police forces.
West Midlands Police said it accepted its legitimacy was hit by Sarah Everard’s kidnap and murder at the hands of serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens.
Her death had a “profound impact on people’s trust and confidence in us, particularly with women”.
“We can and must do better to listen to women’s voices about what needs to change,” the force said in a statement.
More than 2,000 people responded to a survey about their concerns and how police could make them feel safer.
It showed many people felt safe at home and out and about in the neighbourhood during the day – but felt unsafe when out in the nearest town or city at night.
Cat calling, staring, loutish behaviour and being followed were issues affecting feelings of safety.
Together with the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), police recently launched a new campaign asking men to be upstanders for women’s safety – and not a bystander to intimidation and violence.
“We’re asking men to be upstanders for women’s safety by making small changes to their behaviour such as giving women space out on the street and on public transport,” a
police spokesman said.
“The campaign also covers rape and serious sexual assault. Our messages make it clear that unless a woman has given a clear yes to sex then she should not be subjected to a sexual assault.
“The campaign is running on poster sites at transport hubs and in our city centres where festive revellers are expected in record numbers. It is also running across our social media channels.”
He added: “We have operations running in our night time economies to target men displaying predatory behaviour and we are working with the hospitality industry to make sure that they have practices in place to make women feel as safe as possible in our pubs and clubs.
“We are engaging with student groups and societies to ask the women what they want to change and advising men’s groups on how some of their toxic behaviours make women feel.
“This isn’t about demonising all men or scaring women into not feeling safe.
“But the simple fact is that women feel less safe in public spaces than men.”
Police said concerns around drink spiking with people talking about it more openly and knowing they will be believed, had led to them investigating 250 reports.
West Midlands PCC Simon Foster added: “Tackling violence against women and girls is one of my top priorities in the recently published Police and Crime Plan. I would like to reassure people that I take this issue incredibly seriously.”