Police officers urged to take selfies with fans at concerts and sport matches to combat violence against women

Police officers urged to take selfies with fans at concerts and sport matches to combat violence against women EXCLUSIVE: Britain’s biggest police force, the Metropolitan Police, has pledged to stamp out predatory behaviour by upping its presence at concerts and sports matches Metropolitan police officers are being encouraged to take selfies with fans at large events to combat violence against women and girls. Britain’s biggest force has pledged to stamp out predatory behaviour by upping its presence at concerts and sports matches. During a patrol of London’s Wembley Stadium, officers told our reporter they’re advised to “have fun” with concertgoers and even agree to pose for snaps. Inspector Shaz Bassi, leading the operation, said: “A lot of these people might not have seen police officers or had an opportunity to engage with officers ever, so it’s about making the first impression they have as positive as possible. “[Most people] like to see police because they feel safe. So [officers] use that and take it as an opportunity to build trust and confidence. About 99% of people are there to have a good time and they’re really engaging, they’re really lovely and they like the police.” More than 100 officers were patrolling Wembley that day for the Summertime Ball, but larger events can see up to six times more deployed. It comes as part of a push to rebuild public trust after the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard by Met cop Wayne Couzens, and the rape of 14 women by diplomatic protection officer David Carrick. The Met said figures showed its approach was having a positive impact. Reports of violence against women and girls were up two thirds on last year from 9,236 to 15,834. Domestic abuse reports were up 82 percent from 6,596 to 11,987, while the number calling out rape increased by 116 per cent, from 740 to 1,599. Claire Argyle, who works for the Met’s central Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) team, told the Mirror: “We [VAWG] have been an actual team for five years now and it’s grown. A lot of the initiatives have spread and it’s absolutely worked. We have seen absolute progress in decreasing violence against women and girls. “You usually get a good reaction from the crowds who are here to enjoy things. We’ve had really good feedback from surveys that get sent out for various kinds of events like this and football too. They love seeing officers out on patrol, keeping them safe." Some 23,000 Met officers and staff have received bespoke VAWG training, and the force has strengthened its specialist victim support services.