West Mercia Police wins regional VAWG award

The Safer Streets Project, launched by Herefordshire LPA, has been judged a regional winner at the first National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing’s recognition event for police officers, staff and volunteers who are working to tackle violence against women and girls.

The Safer Streets Project, launched by Herefordshire LPA, has been judged a regional winner at the first National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing’s recognition event for police officers, staff and volunteers who are working to tackle violence against women and girls.

Under the Making Spaces Safer category, Hereford Local Policing Area entered the work they had done specifically targeting street harassment, violence, stalking, sexual assault, rape and domestic abuse perpetrated in public.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Whitworth, Chief Inspector Greg Tudge and Inspector Julie Watson, working with local partners, including West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (WMRSASC), West Mercia Women’s Aid (WMWA), Hereford Arts College, Herefordshire Council, Hereford Night In, Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership, Herefordshire Women’s Equality group and Vennture, delivered a wide range of activities with the intention of improving the safety, and perceptions of safety, of women and girls in Herefordshire.

The recognition event was developed and judged jointly by police forces and representatives from charities including SafeLives, Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Karma Nirvana, alongside the Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs, and police staff associations. Over 140 entries were received which were initially judged regionally by police and third sector panels, before being put in front of a national panel who decided the 13 overall winners.

All winning entries had to demonstrate how they built trust and confidence, that their approach was victim-centred, and they had to show impact, including how they were pursuing perpetrators. Judges were impressed with the effectiveness of many of the entries, giving particular praise to those officers, staff and volunteers who listened to victims and survivors, and then shaped their activity accordingly.

Chief Inspector Greg Tudge said: “I’m really proud that Herefordshire Safer Streets project has been recognised with a regional award.

“We’ve been working on the project for the last two years and have developed strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders. This effective partnership working has resulted in several key initiatives being implemented in the city to help reduce violence against women and girls.

These initiatives include 43 CCTV cameras on key routes walked to and from the city, additional street lighting and improvements to the environmental design of two subways. We have also strengthened the guardianship in the city by expanding the street pastors and providing two vehicles to widen their patrols.

“The education element of the project has involved inputs to thousands of students at our local colleges and to night-time economy staff. These inputs have been used to raise awareness of VAWG, staying safe in the NTE and encouraging bystanders to intervene.

“Running throughout the project has been our overarching ‘Time For Change’ campaign and educational video.

“These initiatives will help to make the city a safer place, reduce VAWG offences and reassure our local communities.”