Metropolitan Police plagued by racism, sexism and homophobia, says report

A report conducted by Lady Casey on the Metropolitan Police is expected to blame systemic failures and a lack of accountability for the force’s failure to apprehend serial killer Wayne Couzens and prolific sex offender David Carrick. The report, due to be published next week, is also set to claim that austerity measures had a damaging impact on the force. Dame Cressida Dick, who was in charge of the Metropolitan Police between 2017 and 2022, will reportedly receive some blame for the failings, but the report is also expected to highlight operational issues predating her leadership.

Wayne Couzens received a whole-life term for the murder of Sarah Everard, who he kidnapped, raped, and killed as she was walking home from a friend’s house in south London in March 2021. David Carrick was recently sentenced to at least 30 years in prison for committing violent sexual offences against a dozen women over two decades. Some of the blame for the failure to apprehend these criminals is expected to be placed on systemic issues within the Metropolitan Police leading to a lack of accountability for its officers.

The report is also set to focus on indications that the dangerous behaviour of Couzens and Carrick was missed by the police. Lady Casey’s previous report on the Metropolitan Police, published in October 2022, found that some complaints by police officers and staff about problematic colleagues were not dealt with effectively. The new report’s expected emphasis on operational issues predating Dame Cressida Dick’s leadership suggests that the problems are set to be characterised as wider than just a failure of leadership.

The Metropolitan Police’s handling of the murder of Sarah Everard led to demonstrations and widespread criticism of the police’s conduct. In particular, there was concern at the force’s response to a vigil in her memory on Clapham Common, where incidents of heavy-handed policing were reported. The subsequent report by Lady Casey is part of a wider review of the police conduct, which is being undertaken by the government. Lady Casey has previously advised governments of all types on social policy, and carried out work on child abuse, extremism, and integration.



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