NPCC response to the Angiolini Inquiry Part 1 Report

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said: 

“The harrowing murder of Sarah Everard, carried out by a serving police officer, who abused his position of trust, has caused untold suffering. Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer.  His offending should have been stopped sooner.  This should never have happened. 

 “Listening this morning to Lady Elish Angiolini’s clear findings of a catalogue of missed opportunities and red flags left me aghast.  Police leaders across the United Kingdom will feel the same and take this as an urgent call for action, and reminder of how far we still have to go. We are reviewing the recommendations in detail and I do not underestimate just how important this is for all of society.

“On behalf of policing I cannot adequately express to the Everard family how sorry we are to them and all those who loved Sarah.   

“Lady Elish spoke of others who have suffered and I apologise to any woman or girl who has fallen victim to abuse by a police officer.

“Across history there are crimes that send a signal to us all.  A signal not just about the depravity of the perpetrator, but one of problems in our society or failures in our institutions.  This is a glowing red signal to all police leaders that we must do everything humanly possible to enact these recommendations and change policing for future generations.

“We are taking action to ensure there is nowhere to hide in policing for wrongdoers, that our misconduct and vetting processes are reformed, and that our ethics and values are reset.  This report makes clear that we have much more to do to.

“We will not stop until the public, especially women and girls, get the police service they expect and deserve and their confidence in our role as protectors is rebuilt.”