Police forces across the UK are still failing to protect women more than three years after Sarah Everard's murder, Baroness Louise Casey has warned, saying law enforcement's response remains inadequate and continues to undermine public trust.
The murder of Sarah Everard by serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021 shocked the nation and sparked urgent calls for police reform. The case exposed deep problems with vetting procedures, force culture, and the systemic failures in tackling violence against women and girls.
Baroness Casey's criticism comes as multiple reports and independent reviews have revealed entrenched issues within police forces, particularly the Metropolitan Police. Despite promises of change following Everard's killing, her comments suggest meaningful improvements have yet to materialise on the ground.
The remarks arrive amid continued scrutiny of police conduct, with fresh revelations of misconduct and misogyny emerging from various forces. This ongoing crisis highlights how difficult it has proven to deliver the institutional changes needed to genuinely improve women's safety and restore public confidence.
The criticism strikes at the heart of policing accountability, questioning not just current strategies but the growing gulf between police and the communities they serve. For many women, the perception that forces are not doing enough fuels a deepening sense of insecurity and disillusionment with the system meant to protect them.
The debate over women's safety and police reform remains central to national discourse, demanding comprehensive changes to police culture, training, and oversight. Without such fundamental shifts, the assurances given after tragedies like Everard's murder risk becoming empty promises that further damage already fragile public trust.