Can we ever trust the police again? Yesterday, a shocking report into London's police force was finally published.
Women and children failed by Met 'boys club'
Can we ever trust the police again? Yesterday, a shocking report into London's police force was finally published.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
Two years ago this month, a woman disappearedWent missing. while she was walking in London. A week later, her body was found. Her name was Sarah Everard, and she had been murderedKilled on purpose. by a police officer.
Sarah Everard's death shocked people around Britain. In the months afterwards, an officialSomeone who does important or everyday business for a country's leaders. named Louise CaseyA member of the UK House of Lords and a government official working in social welfare. was asked to write a report about London's police force, which is called the Metropolitan Police.
Now, her report has been published. It is not good news for the Metropolitan Police.
Casey found that the police force is racistBelieving that a person's skin colour makes them better than others. , homophobicShowing a dislike for gay people. and sexistShowing prejudice or discriminating against women and girls. . Even after Everard's death, officers did not protect women and children. She said it was like ignoring "a plane crash".
Key evidenceSomething which proves that something else is true. from rape cases could not be used because it was left in broken fridges. One third of female police officers said they had seen sexismA belief that one sex is superior to or more valuable than another sex.. A gay officer said: "I am scared of the police."
A SikhA follower of Sikhism, an Indian religion and philosophy. officer had his beard cut by other officers who thought it was funny. And the police used their power to search Black people when it was not needed.
Between 2017 and 2022, people who said they thought London's police could do a good job fell from 73% to 36%.
The Metropolitan Police was created by a man called Sir Robert PeelA 19th Century British prime minister, and founder of London's Metropolitan Police.. He said that the police could only work if the people thought it was a good idea. Now, many say the force looks like it is failing.
Yes! Most police officers take their jobs seriously and work hard. We should not forget about them. Changes need to happen, but they can happen quickly.
No! This report was about London, but some worry it could be about many police forces in Britain. The report is too bad for this police force to ever win back the trust of the people.
Disappeared - Went missing.
<h2 class=" eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>
Murdered - Killed on purpose.
Official - Someone who does important or everyday business for a country's leaders.
Louise Casey - A member of the UK House of Lords and a government official working in social welfare.
Racist - Believing that a person's skin colour makes them better than others.
Homophobic - Showing a dislike for gay people.
Sexist - Showing prejudice or discriminating against women and girls.
Evidence - Something which proves that something else is true.
Sexism - A belief that one sex is superior to or more valuable than another sex.
Sikh - A follower of Sikhism, an Indian religion and philosophy.
Sir Robert Peel - A 19th Century British prime minister, and founder of London's Metropolitan Police.
Trust - Believe or have faith in something.
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper">Can we ever <strong class="glossary-tip">trust<span class="tt" data-beeline-skip="true">Believe or have faith in something. </span></strong> the police again?</h5>
Women and children failed by Met ‘boys club’

Glossary
Disappeared - Went missing.
Murdered - Killed on purpose.
Official - Someone who does important or everyday business for a country's leaders.
Louise Casey - A member of the UK House of Lords and a government official working in social welfare.
Racist - Believing that a person's skin colour makes them better than others.
Homophobic - Showing a dislike for gay people.
Sexist - Showing prejudice or discriminating against women and girls.
Evidence - Something which proves that something else is true.
Sexism - A belief that one sex is superior to or more valuable than another sex.
Sikh - A follower of Sikhism, an Indian religion and philosophy.
Sir Robert Peel - A 19th Century British prime minister, and founder of London's Metropolitan Police.
Trust - Believe or have faith in something.