27/04/2023
Gay radio station Queerly and LGBT+ magazine Attitude have reported comments made by Matt Parr CB of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services on the murders of young gay men committed by serial killer Stephen Port between late 2014 and late 2015. Port will never be released from gaol for the crimes, but Mr Parr, who took part in the official report into the Metropolitan Police's dealing with the murders, remarked it was “entirely possible,” that had the MPS carried out a thorough investigation after the first victim, Anthony Walgate’s death the other three men would still be alive. Attitude Magazine says "The report lists five particular issues that have arisen from the HMICFRS’ inspection. These are poor training, poor oversight, unacceptable record keeping, confusing policy and guidance, and inadequate intelligence and crime analysis networks between police units and boroughs". The new report comes just one month after the Casey Report into the culture of the Metropolitan Police found that the MPS is riddled with “institutional racism, sexism, and homophobia.” Mr Parr added however, that the British model of "policing by consent" needs to continue to underline the approach to crime and detection in our society. Others disagree. Global Women's Strike, to which the network Queer Strike and Wages Due Lesbians are affiliated, says "As people from different sectors and backgrounds are exposing historic injustices perpetrated by police, CPS and courts, this new Policing Bill seems to aim at provoking a confrontation with the public and paves the way for a police state. If passed, it will attract more misogynists, racists and violent extremists to the police force. It must not become law. Protestors have already seen a marked increase in police aggression and provocation, kettling or ordering us to move, or bullying us about what time to shut our events or even prevent us from holding protest".
https://thisisqueerly.com/news/
https://globalwomenstrike.net/
