Topic: Policing
New victim privacy safeguards come into force
A new law standardising how and when the police can lawfully extract information from electronic devices takes effect.
Policing watchdogs’ super-complaint on police-perpetrated domestic abuse a “missed opportunity”
Dame Vera Baird QC said the report's conclusions "fall short" as she continued to press for the establishment of a national policing protocol.
The police must embed a zero-tolerance policy against sexism and racism within their ranks
In her 2021/22 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird reflects on the state of policing of violence against women and girls (VAWG).
Fraud: the poor relation?
Fraud has reached epidemic proportions and its scale is truly staggering. Yet you wouldn't know it judging by the criminal justice system's response.
The distressing truth is that if you are raped in Britain today, your chances of seeing justice are slim
In her 2021/22 Annual Report, Dame Vera Baird reflects on the investigation and prosecution of rape in England and Wales.
Home Secretary to make tackling violence against women and girls a national policing priority
Dame Vera Baird warmly welcomes move by the Home Secretary, which she brands "game-changing".
Criminal justice system continues to fail rape victims
"We are now not short on recommendations. Ultimately, the problems in investigating and prosecuting rapes are plain and clear and it is drive and leadership to bring fundamental change on the ground that is now urgently needed."
Rape offences recorded by police increase to new annual high
Dame Vera Baird said most worrying was Home Office data showing 30 per cent of victims withdrew reports of rape within three months, suggesting their experience had been so bad and traumatic that they could not go through with the prosecution.
Policing needs a ‘180-degree culture change’ to lead the fight against VAWG | Speech to APCC & NPCC Joint Partnership Summit 2021
To mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we publish the full transcript of the Victims' Commissioner's speech to police earlier this year, where Dame Vera Baird urged policing to lead the way on much-needed cultural change.
Report urges police forces to stay alert to ‘Covid blaming’ as an excuse or defence by suspects
Responding to the report's findings, the Victims' Commissioner said: "we must not set a precedent whereby defendants are able to use the stresses of lockdown as a justification or defence for killing," as she warned agencies to be "hyper-alert to any form of 'Covid blaming.'"