Responding to the revelations from BBC Panorama’s undercover filming in Charing Cross police station, Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:
“BBC Panorama’s investigation into racist, misogynistic and violent behaviours within the Met Police is shocking. However, it is sadly just the latest set of revelations, highlighting how little real progress is being made. It is no wonder women’s confidence in policing is at breaking point.
“Panorama: Inside the Police is a shameful reminder of the Met’s ongoing failures to tackle the institutional misogyny and racism within its ranks, more than two years on from the Casey Review and Refuge’s ‘Remove the Rot’ campaign. From dismissing reports of rape and domestic abuse, to making degrading and objectifying comments about women, the behaviour captured in this investigation is truly despicable.
“In 2023, ‘Remove the Rot’ exposed the shocking magnitude of police forces’ failure to address and respond to misogyny and police-perpetrated violence against women and girls (VAWG). Over two years later, we are increasingly concerned and appalled by the lack of meaningful progress in dismantling this pervasive culture.
“Since the Casey Review, Met leaders have claimed that steps are being taken to tackle misogyny and racism in the Met. While some progress has been made, those assurances ring hollow when disturbing cases of police-perpetrated abuse and VAWG continue to surface.
“Only last month was it revealed that hundreds of Met police officers hired between 2016 and 2023 may have undergone little to no vetting, making the Panorama investigation even more devastating.
“The government has pledged to halve VAWG within the next decade – an ambitious target welcomed by Refuge. But, that goal will remain out of reach if policing culture is allowed to remain so fundamentally flawed.
“Rebuilding women’s trust in the police is absolutely critical. Refuge has long called for all police officers and staff accused of VAWG to be suspended pending investigation, and for officers to be regularly re-vetted. But, we are still waiting for action, which is why these latest revelations must serve as an urgent wake-up call.
“We welcome Sir Mark Rowley’s response to the BBC’s findings, alongside Sir Sadiq Khan’s commitment to a follow up report on the Casey Review. However, this must be conducted urgently, with commitment from the Met to commit to implement all recommendations. Women and girls’ safety depends on it.”
