The next commissioner of the Metropolitan police will be expected to target violence against women and girls and rebuild confidence in the force, Sadiq Khan said on Monday.
The mayor launched a video campaign calling on men to “have a word” with their “friends and mates” who harass women, backed by London football and rugby teams including Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Saracens.
The two-minute film, showing a young woman being threatened by a group of men as she awaits a late-night taxi, will be shown at half time at the Crystal Palace v Manchester City match tonight.
It seeks to switch the debate about protecting women away from their actions and directly confront the behaviour of men.
Mr Khan said the “refresh” of his strategy to tackle violence against women and girls had been delayed to allow the view of women’s rights groups to be incorporated, but would be published in the coming months, as will his new police and crime plan.
He told the BBC: “The new commissioner has got to have a plan to address the deep cultural issues that we know exist in the police in relation to sexism, misogyny, racism, homophobia, discrimination, but also a plan to win back the trust and confidence that, I’m afraid, has been lost by too many Londoners in our police service over the recent past.”
Mr Khan told the Standard that a leaving date had yet to be agreed for Dame Cressida Dick, who resigned as commissioner last month after losing Mr Khan’s support over the Met’s response to the Charing Cross police station scandal and the murder of Sarah Everard.
He indicated the process of replacing Dame Cressida had yet to reach the stage of candidates being shortlisted.
He said it was likely to be “months” before a new commissioner was in post. He said it was “good” that Dame Cressida had agreed to remain at Scotland Yard for part of the period, and suggested that deputy commissioner Sir Steve House would then hold the post on an interim basis when she left.
Launching today’s campaign, City Hall pointed to research by UN Women UK indicating that 71 per cent of women had experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space, rising to 86 per cent among 18-24 year olds.
Mr Khan said there was a need to address the “toxic attitudes” of some men and boys, and said boys should be taught at primary school how to respect and treat girls.
The campaign carries the message: “Male violence against women and girls starts with words. If you see it happening, have a word with yourself, then your mates.”
Posters will be displayed on mirrors in stadium toilets and an open letter to fans from the mayor will be published in match-day programmes. Mr Khan said the campaign was using the “medium” of sport to reach perpetrators of violence and to tackle the “banter” used by some men.
Mr Khan said: “In London and across the country we are facing an epidemic of violence against women and girls, committed by men. This must unsettle us all and force us to take a long hard look at ourselves.
“As men, we need to be reflecting on the way we view, treat and talk about women. That’s why this new campaign is about talking directly to men and boys to get the message across that words matter and that there’s a link between misogyny and violence.
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira said: “This important campaign highlights to men and boys that our thoughts, actions and the way we behave can make a difference towards women.
“I’m proud that Crystal Palace FC has joined clubs in London to share the message that we must all do everything we can to eradicate violence against women and girls.”
