At the event, hosted by Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt, 43 police forces and police organisations, the Home Office and United Nations were represented by senior officers and staff to pledge to engage with their workforce to discuss gender equality within the workplace, aspiring to improve the gender imbalances at senior levels within policing and in doing so become more representative of our communities in order that issues of violence against women and girls can be better addressed.

Chief Constable, Sussex Police Giles York explained: “HeForShe is a global solidarity movement for the advancement of women initiated by UN Women, inviting people around the world to stand together to create a bold, visible force for gender equality. Its goal is to engage men and boys as agents of change for gender equality by encouraging them to take action against negative inequalities faced by women and girls.

“True gender equality is a shared responsibility; supporting HeForShe demonstrates the strength of our commitment to ensuring a police force that is representative of the communities we serve.”

“Central to this is the priority to combat domestic abuse and sexual abuse to create communities free from such abuse. This is a unique opportunity to address violence towards women and girls. Our support of HeForShe underlines how Surrey and Sussex Police are dedicated to tackling gender inequality.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Assistant Chief Constable Richard Lewis added: “It was a privilege to represent Dyfed-Powys Police at New Scotland Yard for this important event and fantastic campaign driving change. I was delighted to sign the HeForShe pledge on behalf of the force. Dyfed-Powys Police has long been committed to gender equality, and the principles of this solidarity movement. We celebrate diversity across the force, and aspire to be fully representative of the communities we serve. We are committed to making equality a reality both within the organisation and through the policing service we provide – and pride ourselves on being an equal opportunities organisation.”