Responding to reports that David Carrick and Cliff Mitchell were among Met officers who were not properly vetted, Ellie Butt, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Refuge, said:
“After countless reports of police-perpetrated violence against women and girls (VAWG), it is no wonder women’s confidence in policing is at breaking point. Now, reports that two high-profile perpetrators were among thousands of serving Met officers who underwent little to no vetting are a stark reminder that, without robust checks, abusers can and will access the enormous powers granted to police officers, with devastating consequences for women and girls.
“Refuge has long called for a major shift in police culture and practices, with urgent action needed to root out VAWG perpetrators from within the force and greatly improve vetting practices. After years of campaigning efforts, last month’s VAWG Strategy outlined new regulations requiring all officers to maintain vetting clearance, with stronger requirements on forces to suspend those under investigation for specified VAWG offences.
“As we await further clarity on the timeline for implementation and the scope of the offences that will be captured by these regulations, we urge the Government to act with urgency. In its 2024 manifesto, Labour pledged to automatically suspend officers under investigation for VAWG-related offences, but we have yet to see this policy come into force. Every day of delay further erodes women’s trust in policing, while allowing perpetrators to act with impunity.
“We also welcome the Policing Inspectorate’s plans to carry out an investigation into the Met’s recruitment and vetting standards. This must be completed swiftly and robustly, with the Met held to account for implementing all recommendations. The risk presented to women and girls by thousands of officers holding police powers with minimal vetting is incalculable, and this must never be allowed to happen again. Women and girls’ safety depends on it.”
