At a local event, Metropolitan Police Superintendent Clare McCarthy, Inspector Reshma Sher, and Redbridge Women’s Safety Lead Sharna Ahmed shared the work they have been leading to reduce harassment, sexual offences, and gender-based violence.
They met with representatives from Home Affairs, Education, Health & Social Care and the charitable sector.
Superintendent McCarthy and Inspector Sher presented the Metropolitan Police’s strategic objectives and local operations, while Ms Ahmed outlined Redbridge Council’s significant progress in making public spaces safer for women, including the ‘ThisHasToStop’ and ‘Step In’ initiatives focused on education and cultural change.
The purpose of the event was to strengthen Guernsey’s collective response to Violence Against Women and Girls by improving understanding, coordination, and capability across all partner organisations.
Poppy Murray, founder of local charity SafetyNet, said that the conference felt like a ‘pivotal moment’.
‘It was incredible to see the enthusiasm in the room, the genuine interest being taken in what has been implemented in Redbridge, and the commitments made to moving forward with changes that will undoubtedly make Guernsey safer not only for women and girls but for everyone,’ she said.
‘There have been significant advancements, particularly in the last two years, of increased awareness of violence against women locally, positive changes in the police’s handling of these crimes, and a notable increase in perpetrators being brought to justice.’
The event included showcasing local work and good practice, including Operation Baku, which places plain-clothed officers in bars and nightclubs in town to identify and address predatory behaviour, and police collaboration with SafetyNet.
They enhanced operational and local understanding of initiatives such as ‘ThisHasToStop’, ‘Step In’, ‘Safe2Talk’, Operation Verona, and Operation Vigilant, while increasing awareness of training and development opportunities and identifying any gaps in skills or knowledge, including training used by the Met.
‘Our aim was simple, to bring partners together to enhance how we prevent violence against women and girls and how we protect those most at risk,’ said Guernsey Police detective inspector Tom Lowe.
‘By learning from successful initiatives like these, and by showcasing the strong work already under way locally, we have strengthened our shared approach.
‘By improving our understanding of key initiatives, deepening partnerships, and identifying future training needs, we have taken an important step toward a more coordinated, capable and confident response to VAWG across the Bailiwick.’
