The details which emerged about Sarah Everard’s murder at Wayne Couzens’ sentencinghearing this week made for chilling reading. Couzens, a serving police officer at the time of the kidnap, used a fake arrest to force Everard into his car, handcuffing her, showing her his warrant card and exploiting his knowledge of coronavirus restrictions (having worked on Covid patrols earlier this year). A couple who witnessed the arrest assumed that Couzens was an undercover police officer making a legitimate arrest.
In response, women have been asking what we're supposed to do if we can't even trust the police. To which the Met Police - already engulfed in crisis - chipped in with a baffling response: women who are afraid should 'shout or wave down a bus' if they fear being abducted by police. Let that sink in...
So, if you think you are in imminent danger from one of their own officers you should seek help by 'shouting out to a passer-by, running into a house, knocking on a door, waving a bus down or if you are in the position to do so calling 999.' And that's not all...
Just when we thought the advice couldn't get any more insulting, a police boss also tried to blame Sarah Everard today for getting into Couzens' car. North Yorkshire commissioner Philip Allott said she 'never should have submitted' to the arrest. Women should be 'streetwise', and more aware of the law, according to him.
Enough! Now we're the fools for not standing up to a police officer, or knowing the law inside out. Was Sarah supposed to know she should or could resist? And isn't resisting arrest a crime? There's victim-blaming and then there's this gaslighting horror show. Too often, after horrific acts of male violence against women and girls, the subsequent advice implies it's our responsibility to make ourselvses safe, otherwise we're asking for it. This has to stop.
There's victim-blaming and then there's this gaslighting horror show.
Here's an idea, how about the Met Police say they will take full responsibility for one of their own. Is it too much to ask for them to accept the onus is on THEM to do better. What we desperately need to hear is that police will be fully vetted and any signs of sexism and misogyny (and racism) in their ranks will be thoroughly investigated and taken seriously.
There were already numerous red flags surrounding Couzens (we learned his nickname had been 'The Rapist' at work and he was on a misogynistic, racist, homophobic WhatsApp group with colleagues) - instead of telling us to flag down a bus or be 'streetwise', tell us you will be making systemic changes to the police so it will be almost impossible for this to ever happen again.
Pushing this back onto women is infuriating - and typical. It's the same advice rolled out everytime a woman's life is stolen or harmed by an act of male violence. They shouldn't have been walking alone at night. They should travel in pairs. Don't wear revealing clothes. Be streetwise. It always falls to women to take charge or change their behaviour.
The story of Sarah's kidnap is all the more terrifying for how understandable her actions were. What would any of us have done differently, if confronted by a police officer who showed us ID and could easily overpower us even if we did not comply? Many well-meaning organisations have been sharing information on what to do to stay safe if we find ourselves in a similar situation.
While it can't be on women to police the police, understandably some women have questions about their rights, so we spoke to experts who explained what we can do if approached by a lone male police officer.
Any advice of this nature must come with the caveat that following some of these steps would be difficult in reality. People of colour may be even less likely to want to disrupt a situation during an arrest, given the police's troubling record on race and racism.
Do I have to engage with a police officer who approaches me?
Rod Hayler, Managing Director at Old Bailey Solicitors, says: No, but if the reasonable grounds test is satisfied, you may be liable to arrest or to a stop and search. Also, if the officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that you have committed an offence, failing to provide the officer with your name and address may satisfy the necessity test for an arrest (see below). So engaging with the officer to that extent is generally advisable.
Does a police officer have to be in uniform to arrest or search you?
No, but an officer should identify themselves and show their warrant card upon request.
Can a plain-clothed police officer in an unmarked car place you under arrest/take you into custody without a uniformed police officer there?
Yes, but he should identify himself and show you his warrant card.
Can a single police officer arrest you?
Yes. (But following Wayne Couzens sentencing this week, the Metropolian police have announced that they will no longer deploy plain-clothed police officers on their own.)
What should you do if you’ve been placed under arrest in these circumstances and feel scared?
You should ask the officer to identify themselves and show their warrant card. It is worth informing the officer that you feel scared and that you would rather another person was present. There is no provision in law to demand this and circumstances may not allow for it. But a sensible officer, using their common sense in light of the Sarah Everard case, should take steps to allay those fears. He should call for another officer or officers to attend and wait at the roadside until that support arrives.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain this week, Met Police chief superintendent Parm Sandhu said there are steps people can take if they’re concerned about an arrest.
'I would say, do not get into the car unless it’s a marked police vehicle, ask to see the radio, or ask the arresting officer to call their colleagues and make sure they are on duty,'
'If you’re really concerned dial 999.'
Alan Collins, a partner at Hugh James law firm, suggests asking for three things. ‘One, ask to see warrant card, secondly, check to see if a body camera is worn and working, and thirdly, ask them politely to call the police station to confirm on duty. If there is a police vehicle involved only get in when satisfied with one to three of those.
Collins admits that this is potentially 'very difficult in reality but try to keep above in mind. Clearly don’t want to get in trouble for being obstructive but one to three of those is reasonable.'
For more information, the basic law is summarised here: www.gov.uk/police-powers-of-arrest-your-rights.
Of course, that any of us feel we need to learn about these rules, so we can police the police, underlines the work that must be done to restore trust. And that is not a problem for women to solve, but requiresaccountability and systemic change from the Met and its leadership.
READ MORE: Until We Admit The Enormity Of Male Violence We Won’t Be Able To Stamp It Out