Women's Charity Hits Back At 'Bizarre' Plan To Put Plain Clothes Police Officers In Night Clubs

The Centre for Women's Justice released a statement which highlighted their concern that the government had failed to consult them, or the numerous specialist women's sector organisations, about their proposed plans to keep them safer.

Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens has been charged with Sarah's murder and abduction. He is expected to enter his plea in July.

A spokesperson told Tyla: "This is quite frankly a bizarre idea particularly when women's faith in the police has been so damaged with recent events. Many women will now be quite rightly asking 'but who will protect me from the plain clothes officer?'.

"Undercover policing has recently been exposed as providing an opportunity for police officers to abuse their cover in forming inappropriate sexual contact with women. This initiative needs much more informed consideration.

"There are many specialist women's sector organisations, like us, who are desperately calling for action and support from the government but none of us appear to have been consulted.

"A woman is killed every three days in UK. Rape prosecutions are at an all-time low. We want perpetrators charged and prosecuted. And, we want the police and state agencies such as the CPS to take responsibility for failing to do so."

As a response to mounting pressure from the public about women's safety, the government has said it will double its Safer Streets fund to £45m, which provides for things like better lighting and CCTV.

Ministers will work with police forces and police and crime commissioners to make sure these are targeted at areas of potential concern for women.