Women’s complaints about police violence mostly dropped, report finds

According to new police data for England and Wales, complaints regarding the treatment of women by police officer’s most likely will never result in action. Over a six-month period, nine in 10 reported complaints were dropped, says The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).

Among the complaints, 63% were regarding use of force, 9% overbearing or harassing behaviour, and 6% sexual assault. The NPCC stated it is highly unlikely an officer will face action over an allegation, with only one in 100 sacked.

Also, The NPCC found that 1,539 officers had been involved in alleged police-perpetrated violence against women and young girls. According to the report, true figures are estimated to be even higher due to under-reporting from police staff and inaccuracies in data collection across forces – another pressing issue for the police.

“We need to be harsher in the sanctions that we are imposing upon anyone where there are allegations of this type of behaviour,” Maggie Blyth, NPCC co-ordinator for violence against women and girls, told the BBC. Blyth said next year’s data would likely show more cases “as we shine the light and turn those stones, but speeding up that dismissal and removal from the service.”

Violence against women and young girls generally was also looked at by the NPCC over the six month period. Figures show 447,431 recorded domestic abuse crimes and at least 507,827 crimes of violence against women and young girls. Only 6% of those resulted in charges.