PCC responds to National Policing Statement on Violence Against Women and Girls
Statement from Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, in response to the College of Policing (CoP) and National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) National Policing Statement 2024:
“I welcome the National Policing Statement on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). With at least one in 12 women being a victim of VAWG each year, it is critical that the policing response to VAWG-related crimes continues to improve.
“I am proud of the work that Thames Valley Police is doing in this space including tackling predatory behaviour in our night-time economy through Project Vigilant, the development of a schools package for KS4 students on non-contact offences which has already been used by over 700 schools nationally, and transitioning to the 4P approach – prepare, protect, pursue and prevent.
“Nevertheless, it important that we recognise that law enforcement cannot reduce the scale and impact of VAWG on its own. I support the NPCC’s call for a whole system approach, bringing together criminal justice partners, statutory agencies, the voluntary, community and private sectors, as well as the wider public, to reduce the harms experienced by women.
“Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls will be included in my forthcoming Police and Crime Plan with a focus on relentlessly pursuing offenders, improving investigations and charge rates and supporting victims.
“My Victims First service supports victims of all types of VAWG from domestic abuse to rape and sexual violence, stalking and harassment and spiking.
“I know it can be difficult for victims of VAWG to reach out for help but I encourage anyone in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire or Milton Keynes needing support to contact Victims First on 0300 1234 148. Help is free and can be accessed regardless of when the crime took place or if it was reported to the police.”
