The new Metropolitan Police commissioner has said he would be “happy” for his daughters to walk around London at night, as he vowed to make the capital’s streets safer.
Sir Mark Rowley, who took over as the boss at Scotland Yard earlier this month, told LBC radio that police can offer more focus on male offenders to make the streets safer for women and girls.
He told host Nick Ferrari: “There are many men in the city, sadly, who are stalkers, they’re rapists, they’re involved in domestic violence.
“The thing we bring to solving this problem, alongside other agencies who offer more supportive role to victims, the thing we bring most of all, is the ability to identify and target those dangerous individuals.”
Sir Mark said he wants to show the public progress in key areas in 100 days, and wants to bring the force out of special measures within 12 to 18 months.
His comments follow an open letter where he promised to be “ruthless” in kicking out corrupt, misogynist and racist police officers.
This comes amid pressure on the Met to address its poor culture and a catalogue of failings and scandals.
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It has come under scrutiny over cases including officers who shared photos of the bodies of two murdered sisters and the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by off-duty PC Wayne Couzens.
The force also faces pressure to address women’s safety in light of cases like the death of Sabina Nessa, who was murdered at random by a man, while walking through a London park.
Officer walkout is ‘misreported nonsense’
Sir Mark also dismissed suggestions that firearms officers threatened to walk out in protest against the suspension of their colleague following the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba.
He told LBC that the suggestions were “misreported nonsense”.
Chris Kaba, a 24-year-old unarmed black man, was killed by an officer in south London following a police chase on 5 September. Although the officer who shot Mr Kaba has been suspended, the force has been criticised for its handling of the case.
Sir Mark told the station: “I have a very, very dedicated group of firearms officers who go out day in and day out, confronting the most extraordinarily difficult situations to protect London and they wouldn’t put their firearms down and let down London.”
Mr Kaba’s case has sparked widespread protests, with members of his family accusing the force of racism.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct watchdog is investigating the shooting and will look at whether race was a factor.
Sir Mark added that the force will do “everything possible to help the IOPC” so “the truth can be laid out in front of whatever legal process follows”.
