Campaign launched to tackle violence against women in Hackney

Women and girls in Hackney Central and Dalston were given help and advice on how to stay safe as part of a partnership day of action on 8 April co-ordinated by Hackney Council, the Met Police and British Transport Police.

As part of the initiative, a pop-up information stall, additional enforcement patrols, and a safety awareness campaign were part of a joint day of action to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Hackney.

Hackney’s specialist VAWG team provided information and support to residents at a pop-up stall in Hackney Central. The Council’s Hackney Nights team also held a welfare stall in Dalston to provide medical support and guidance to people on a night out.

Gerry McCarthy, head of community safety, enforcement and business regulation at Hackney Council said: "We’re committed to working with the Police and other partners to ensure that Hackney is a safer place for women and girls.

"This day of action is just part of our extensive drive to deter violence, including pop-up stalls providing support and guidance to help safeguard residents, and our #DontCrossTheLine campaign tackling harassment and misogyny.

The campaign was launched on 29 September and aims to send a clear message to perpetrators of sexual offences that behaviours like unwanted groping, grabbing or touching will not be tolerated in the night time economy.

He said: "All of these send a clear message that harassment will not be tolerated in Hackney."

Local Police Officers, Detectives and mounted police joined the event to provide a briefing for partners, as well as carry out additional patrols.

This wider operation tackling crime in the area led to two arrests for theft offences, three anti-social behaviour warnings, an investigation into a male exposing himself to a female, and the recovery of 10 knives.

Officers from British Transport Police also ran a parallel day of action at Hackney Central Overground.