Police launch initiative to improve safety for women

Following the tragic death of Sarah Everard in March this year, the police have launched a new initiative to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

Women will now be able to request verification of an officer’s identity if they’re approached by an on duty, plain clothed officer. 

It is very unusual for a single plain clothed police officer to engage with anyone. However, if you do find yourself in an interaction with a lone police officer in plain clothes and you are on your own, that officer will provide verification of their identity by putting you in direct contact with their colleagues in the local police operations room.

Using a video call, which can either be to your own device, or to the officer’s device, you will be able to see and speak to a uniformed police officer in what will visibly be a police operations room. They will be able to conduct the necessary checks and provide reassurance that the officer is who they say they are and they are acting appropriately.

The initiative is initially aimed at women, but anyone can use it.