It’s not a ‘fair cop’ for women
POLICE CHIEF CALLS FOR NEW APPROACH TO ARRESTS FOR FEMALES
Northumbria Police chief, Dame Vera Baird, is backing a bid to end a “postcode lottery” overarrestratesthatriskdrawingvulnerablewomenintothe criminal justice system
New research published by the Prison Reform Trust reveals significant variations in how police forces deal with women.
Fair Cop? - Improving outcomes for women at the point of arrest, provides solutions and examples of positive work by police to tackle low level, non-violent crime committed by women.
The report, however, also found that opportunities are beingmissedtointerveneearly, reducewomen’soffendingand protect the public.
Ananalysisofarrestfigures shows that whilst the majority of police forces in England and Wales have seen some decline in the number of women arrestedinthelastyear,innearly two-fifths(37%)ofpoliceforces arrests of women rose.
In Northumbria, there wer 5,575 women arrested in 2014/15 and this figure had resuced by 22% to 4,327 the following year.
Writing in the foreword of the report, Dame Vera - Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumberland - said: “I hopethisdiscussionpaperwill raise awareness of the practical steps now being taken to improve outcomes for women at the point of arrest.
“Not only can this lead to less crime and fewer victims, but it also pays dividends for the families and communities who depend on the women who are helped.”
Women are more likely to beservingasentenceinprison fortheftandothernon-violent crimes than men.
In many of these instances, out of court action may be appropriate but the use these options for women who have committed low-level offences has fallen by over 45% since 2007.
Dame Vera added: “Like many of my fellow Police and CrimeCommissionersIfirmly believethatcrimepreventionis the way forward.
“This report shows how local areas are responding to the changing demands on police resources at a time when money is short.”
Author of the report Dr Thomas Guiney of the Prison Reform Trust said: “The evidence is clear that point of arrestcanbetheidealopportunityforeffectiveearlyintervention,givingwomenthesupport they need to tackle the issues leading to their offending.
“Ourreportshowsthatthis isworkingwellinsomeareas— where police and other agenciesarecollaboratingbutmore must be done to ensure these services are available across England and Wales.”