Police super-complaints: police use of protective measures in cases of violence against women and girls

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the College of Policing and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) have published a report in response to the super-complaint submitted by the Centre for Women’s Justice about the police’s alleged failure to use protective measures to safeguard women and girls.

A joint investigation by HMICFRS, the College of Policing and the IOPC found that there were good examples of the police using these measures.

However, the investigation also identified a lack of understanding within police forces over how and when to use protective measures, which means support for victims is sometimes not good enough – and therefore victims may be less likely to report crime in the future.

As a result, these bodies have made recommendations for the police, the Home Office, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, and the Ministry of Justice to do more to help ensure all measures are used as efficiently and effectively as possible. 

The report also includes actions for HMICFRS and the College of Policing regarding their own work.