It is 'critically important' that more is done in Warwickshire to protect women from abuse and violent crime, Warwickshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

PCC Philip Seccombe has confirmed that changing attitudes to violent crime against women and police responses to stalking and harassment will be major focus points for the upcoming Police and Crime Plan for the county.

His promise comes in response to the conviction of Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens for the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard.

The Met has also launched an independent standards review following the convictions of Couzens.

In a statement Mr Seccombe welcomed the sentence saying the "horrific offences" were "beyond comprehension".

"Sadly, we know that this offence is not an isolated incident, with concerning numbers of women being subjected to abusive, violent or controlling behaviour each year," he added.

"That's why I believe we need to see changes, both in the manner in which the state deals with these types of crime, and the efforts we put in to prevent them happening.

"This case has understandably led to questions about policing in the UK and left many women feeling more vulnerable. The vast majority of police officers are committed to protecting people from harm but I know some people feel more apprehensive about their interactions with the police as a result of this case."

The new Police and Crime Plan for Warwickshire will include programmes to "educate and divert" perpetrators from violent and abusive behaviour.

There will also be continued funding for victim support, especially for victims of sexual offences and domestic abuse.

Mr Seccombe is also calling for better interaction between the police and public, so people "have confidence in the service they receive." This will include reinforcing the system for holding officers to account for their actions, and the initial selection process.

He added: "Overall, it will take a combined effort from police and other agencies to ensure women feel fully safe in their communities and it's an agenda that will continue throughout my term of office.

"We do have good foundations to achieve this, as there is already a strong background in partnership working and a collective desire to ensure that our communities not only are safe but feel safe too."

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