Police boss blasted for saying 'women need to be street wise' after Sarah Everard's murder resigns after fury

A POLICE boss who sparked outrage after saying women "need to be streetwise" after Sarah Everard's murder has sensationally resigned.

North Yorkshire Commissioner Philip Allott was slammed for victim blaming over his disgraceful remarks.

The chief claimed women need to be more "clued up" to avoid being raped and murdered like the 33-year-old.

And he said Sarah should not have "submitted" to arrest by her killer, serving officer Wayne Couzens.

Allott, who oversees police and fire services in North Yorkshire, has now stepped down after receiving a vote of no confidence today.

The commissioner apologised "unreservedly" for his remarks, adding "they do not reflect my views".

He said: "I misspoke and I am devastated at the effect that this has had on victims of crime and the groups that support them.

"I have tried to say this again and again but I recognise that what I have said has not always been heard as I intended."

Allott said he was doing the "honourable thing" in resigning but vowed to "support victims groups" so he could make a difference.

The ex-chief added: "There are women and girls in York and North Yorkshire today suffering at the hands of men.

"Victims and the groups who support them need to be heard. They cannot be heard if the airwaves are filled with discussion about my future."

A panel today took turns urging Allott to resign as they backed a no confidence motion following his "damaging" remarks.

The commissioner was accused of "shifting the blame" on to victims of assault for his comments last month.

He said: "So women, first of all, need to be streetwise about when they can be arrested and when they can't be arrested.

"She should never have been arrested and submitted to that.

"Perhaps women need to consider in terms of the legal process, to just learn a bit about that legal process".

He later apologised but not before a string of campaign groups blasted him.

It came after it emerged serving cop Couzens used his warrant card and handcuffs to abduct, rape, and kill Sarah, 33.

He had stopped her on a street in South London claiming to be an undercover officer arresting her for breaching Covid lockdown laws.

Scotland Yard was forced to release a new strategy after the horrific details emerged but was ridiculed for their advice.

Part of the plan to keep women safe in London was urging anyone stopped by a male officer they don't trust to "run into a house" or "wave down a bus".

The Met also advised Londoners to "shout out to a passer-by" or call 999 -despite women highlighting a deep mistrust of police after Sarah's killing.

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