Met chief implies ‘flag down bus’ advice was in error

Dame Cressida Dick has today appeared to backtrack on the Met’s controversial suggestion that women could “flag down a bus” if concerned by a police officer.

Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, blasted the advice as “tone deaf”.

The advice was issued after a serving police officer was convicted for the rape, kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

The Metropolitan police commissioner said during a London assembly hearing today that it was a mistake for the Met to have said during a briefing that women ought to flag down a bus if they were concerned about a lone, undercover police officer.

When asked about this guidance in Southwark this morning, Ms Dick said the suggestion had been made after a colleague was “pressed, pressed, pressed” on how women could act as a final resort.

She explained: “I completely understand why that ended up as the headline. It was not intended. And that is not how we see things.

She went on: “And, yes, we have reviewed it. And I think we would, hopefully, address the question differently were it to come again in the future.”