BRITAIN’S biggest police force is deploying undercover cops outside bars and clubs in a bid to cut violence against women.
They aim to identify anyone who may be “displaying predatory behaviour”.
Uniformed colleagues will then be called in when needed.
Met Police officers are taking part in a pilot scheme in Lambeth and Southwark, South London.
A similar plan announced by Boris Johnson following the murder of Sarah Everard, 33 — who was kidnapped, raped and killed by a Met officer in March — sparked outrage from campaign groups.
Met commissioner Dame Cressida Dick met with community groups from Lambeth and Southwark yesterday.
She discussed the force’s plans to tackle violence against women and girls, boost the number of criminals brought to justice, and tackle sexual misconduct and domestic violence by its own officers and staff.
But Reclaim These Streets, a group set up after Sarah’s murder, said: “How can we trust Met police officers to spot predators in bars and clubs if they can’t seem to spot and root out predators in their own ranks?
“The Met has lost the trust of women, and plainclothes officers will not win it back. For many, plainclothes officers outside bars is a sinister prospect.
“The Met should focus on tackling institutional misogyny instead of PR stunts like this.”
‘Sex rap’ officers on beat
POLICE officers who were accused of assault and harassment were sent out on patrol because of staff shortages, a whistleblower has claimed.
Ex-Met internal investigations cop Jaysen Veeren also said he witnessed interference in probes.
He claimed a cop on a non-molestation order who was then alleged to have sexually harassed a woman in a shop was allowed on the beat — if he wore a camera.
He said he recorded a senior Directorate of Professional Standards figure saying restrictions on cops being probed should be “optimised” — as there were not enough staff.
The Met said changes in restrictions are “carefully considered”.
Source: Read Full Article
