Plans to introduce measures to tackle violence against women and girls and reduce antisocial behaviour have been welcomed by Staffordshire Police Federation chair Lee Robinson.
Lee was speaking after Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer unveiled his party’s plans for police reform during a visit to Stoke-on-Trent.
In a speech at Port Vale FC, Sir Keir said: “Policing must start to serve women and minorities, no more excuses.
“Modernising the police is also the first step we need to take on halving violence amongst women and girls.”
He said a Labour government would place specialist domestic abuse workers responding to 999 calls in every police control room, and set up a specialist rape unit “in every police force”.
Sir Keir vowed to “reverse the collapse in the proportion of crime solved”and halve levels of violence against women and girls within a decade if he wins power at the next general election.
He also pledged to halve serious violent crime and raise confidence in the police and criminal justice system after Baroness Casey’s report on the Metropolitan Police.
Sir Keir said the importance of “visible neighbourhood police” was “crystal clear” and repeated a promise to recruit 13,000 extra officers and “get more police on the beat”.
He said Labour would also prioritise “fighting the virus that is anti-social behaviour: fly-tipping, off-road biking in rural areas, drugs”.
Sir Keir said policing “must change” but he warned: “It’s going to be a long, hard road.”
Lee said he welcomed reforms that would target men who commit acts of violence against women and girls and get more officers back out on the beat.
He explained: “Policing has been under tremendous pressure for many years but our members are determined to deliver the best possible service for the people of Staffordshire.
“We need to make it clear that violent crime of any kind is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“We welcome any proposals that help the police target violent offenders and protect the victims of such horrendous crimes.
“Getting more officers on the streets will help reduce crime and antisocial behaviour and also restore public trust and confidence in the police so must be treated as a priority.”
