VIOLENCE against women and girls is still highly prevalent, even as crime rates fall, latest police figures revealed today.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services’ annual State of Policing report found that officers are still failing at responding to calls for help promptly, keeping victims informed, and bringing offenders to justice.

Since 2015, the proportion of victim-based offences, including sexual offences, that are brought to justice has substantially declined, it said.

The report underscored the need for improvements in information sharing via the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, particularly as the number of “right to ask” applications has risen by 301 per cent in five years. 

Also known as Clare’s law, applicants can request information from police about their current or ex-partner if they fear they may have been abusive.

According to the report, five out of 13 forces inspected have backlogs of requests that exceed the statutory disclosure time frame of 28 days.

The report comes a day after the Baird inquiry revealed that officers at Greater Manchester Police had made unlawful arrests and demeaning strip searches of victims who had suffered sexual abuse or domestic violence.

End Violence Against Women Coalition executive director Andrea Simon said that “it is evident that policing has been far too slow to transform its culture, and that efforts to rebuild trust are severely undermined when victims continue to be routinely failed.” 

“We call on the new government to ensure our criminal justice system is equipped to provide victims with justice and the service they deserve, and that much-needed investment is made in delivering a co-ordinated, whole-society response to prevent violence against women and girls,” she said.

Refuge policy and public affairs officer Amy Bowdrey, said: “We still have serious concerns about a misogynistic culture within the police force outlined in Baroness Casey’s 2023 report.

“It is clear that over a year on, there are still systematic issues in how the police aim to tackle violence against women and girls that is prohibiting survivors from being able to access the justice they deserve and desperately need.”