Make safety of women a national priority, Priti Patel tells police chiefs

POLICE chiefs have been ordered to make the safety of women and girls a national priority.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has demanded that tackling violence against females is treated as seriously as terrorism, child abuse and organise crime.

She will announce this week it should be added to the strategic policing requirement — meaning every force must have a detailed plan of action.

Ms Patel’s action comes ahead of the first anniversary on Thursday of the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard, 33.

The order will provide a clear direction to chief constables and highlight where forces must work together, using local and regional capabilities, to protect the public.

Ms Patel is acting ahead of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s response to tackling violence against women and girls — which she commissioned last year.

She said: “The safety of women and girls is an absolute priority.”

Isabelle Younane, of Women’s Aid, said: “Restoring confidence in the police, which is currently horrendously low, is essential to helping women and girls feel safe to report abuse — ultimately keeping more of them out of danger.”