Dramatic footage of an alleged stalker being caught red-handed has been shown to Sir Sadiq Khan as an example of how the Metropolitan police is tackling violence against women and girls.
The video, captured by an officer’s body-worn camera, shows two Met officers in the home of a woman who had reported being harassed and threatened by a former partner.
When a stone is thrown at her window, the frontline officers, from the Camden and Islington basic command unit, immediately rush outside and apprehend a man. He was later charged with an offence and is awaiting trial.
The victim’s identity and that of her alleged stalker are deliberately obscured.
The footage was shown to the London mayor and his deputy mayor for policing, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, when they visited Holborn police station to congratulate officers on the Met coming out of special measures.
Tackling violence against women and girls has become one of the Met’s top priorities following recent horrific murder cases including those of Sarah Everard, Zara Aleena and sisters Nicole Smallman and Bibaa Henry.
Sir Sadiq told The Standard that he was “in awe” of the work police officers carried out to protect Londoners.
“Not only is the work incredibly traumatic, it is also very dangerous,” he said. “Neither you nor I go to work with the possibility of being the victim of a personal injury or assault, or God forbid, even worse.
“We have in London more than 30,000 people who go to work knowing not only is there the possibility that they see something harrowing or distressing, but that they could themselves be at the end of verbal assault or physical assault.
“That is one of the reasons I’m really keen to celebrate the success of the transformation of the [Met] police service over the last few years.”
A 16-day operation up to mid-December in Camden and Islington led to the arrest of 77 men for offences including rape and attempted murder.
Of these, 24 were arrested for assault or non-fatal strangulation, 15 for stalking, harassment or malicious communication and 15 for breaching orders in place to protect women and girls.
By the end of January, 23 men had been charged with criminal offences. This included six rape allegations, eight arrests for stalking and four for threats to kill.
Chief Superintendent Andy Carter, the senior officer responsible for policing in Camden and Islington, said: “I am absolutely committed to ensuring that we have everything in place to respond robustly and at pace to violence against women and girls, and also to provide victims and those at risk with the compassionate and effective support they need.
“We all know the Met has to keep improving and that we have much to do to rebuild levels of trust in police, in particular among women and girls. The effectiveness of this intensive activity is plain for all to see, and we will build on this throughout 2025.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley said: “Our additional work in December included a session with managers and staff from the hospitality industry, a youth summit in Camden and interactions with members of the public at events such as the King’s Cross Christmas Market. I will be ensuring that we continue to work alongside our communities in this way.
“I am also appealing to everyone in Camden and Islington to work with us in protecting women and girls. While we are striving to enhance our ability to prevent offending and bring violent men to justice, we need support from local people.
“Please do share what you know about the men of violence in your community, whether that is by speaking with local officers, contacting police online or by dialling 101 or, to remain anonymous, by providing information to Crimestoppers.”
