Labor has pledged to overhaul the “grossly inadequate” way in which indecent exposure is dealt with in the criminal justice system after an inquiry concluded victims were failing.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the party would oversee a “fundamental review” of the handling of the crime, aiming to change its image as a low-level crime, improve police processes and bring more perpetrators to justice By law.
A package of measures will also be implemented, including specialist training for officers, commissioned research into the link between indecent exposure and “contact crime”, and a public information campaign to encourage victims to come forward. observer Understood.
The plans were developed in response to a landmark report by Lady Elish Angiolini into the kidnapping of Wayne Couzens during his tenure with the Metropolitan Police , the rape and murder of Sarah Everard.
The first of a three-part inquiry published last week said inadequate scrutiny by the Metropolitan Police and Kent Police’s failure to properly investigate an indecent exposure offense in 2015 was a “red flag that was missed to disrupt and even deter the opportunity for further crime.” by Couzens”.
Both forces apologized last week, but Angiolini said the failings were not isolated but showed the need for “significant changes” in the way indecent exposure is handled and viewed across the country.
write on observer Today, Angiolini said current crime was too often “dismissed” and seen as “low-level”, with police failing victims.
She said: “We trivialize crime, thereby creating a sense that it is almost laughable, when for many victims the reality is horrifying and the behavior itself may be indicative of something very sinister. traces of.”
She added that police investigations were often “woefully inadequate and opportunities to catch the perpetrators were missed”.
“This means victims lack confidence in the investigative system or are too embarrassed to come forward. Others believe nothing will happen to the individual if they do,” she said.
The report made comprehensive recommendations that she said were needed to improve responses to indecent exposure, all of which Labor said it would implement. The Home Office said it was considering the recommendations carefully and would publish a full response in due course.
As well as reviewing crime-fighting approaches, recommendations include: ensuring a national review of allegations of indecent exposure against serving police officers, led by police chiefs and review units; and introducing a dedicated policy for police officers that would include, inter alia, targeting indecent exposure. Ya exposed guide.
Cooper said: “Indecent exposure should be a serious red flag for the police to record and take action. That’s why Angiolini’s first recommendation was to establish professional police policy and training, as well as guidance on how the criminal justice system deals with indecent masturbation. A fundamental review of exposure is so important. Labor will implement these measures as quickly as possible and we urge the Government to do the same.”
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Cooper accused the Conservatives of failing to “take immediate action to implement Angiolini’s most urgent recommendations.”
“There have been warnings for many years, including following the brutal murders of Sarah Everard and Libby Squire, that these crimes could escalate,” she said.
Responding to accusations of slow action, a Conservative source accused Labor of “playing politics” and said a “professional response to an important report” was “completely normal practice”.
A Home Office spokesman said: “We are committed to tackling violence against women. This government is working harder than ever to protect women and girls and improve the police response to these despicable crimes. We link it with other crimes such as terrorism The threat was classified as a national threat and the first dedicated national policing leadership body was established. “But there is still much to be done. The Government will continue to work with police partners to ensure appropriate standards are always adhered to, and the Home Secretary has pledged to respond immediately to the recommendations of the Angiolini report. “
The independent Angiolini inquiry was commissioned by the Home Office to investigate how off-duty Metropolitan Police officer Couzens abducted, raped and murdered 33-year-old Everard. On the evening of March 3, 2021, Everard was stopped by Cousens while walking home and got into his car after showing his authorization card. Couzens had a history of sex offences, including nine charges of indecent exposure, but he evaded consequences and continued to work as a police officer.
As well as improving the handling of indecent exposure, including dropping the word “contempt”, Angiolini’s report recommended widespread improvements to police vetting processes and called for zero tolerance of sexism, racism and misogyny “Banter” in the police force.
The investigation will continue in two parts. It will examine the crimes of another out-of-favour Met police officer, David Carrick, who was jailed last year for dozens of rapes and sex crimes against 12 women, and consider the consequences for policing culture broader concerns.
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