Police have raised alarms over the radicalisation of boys into extreme misogyny, largely driven by online influencers like Andrew Tate. Senior police officer Maggie Blyth likens this radicalisation to the tactics used by terrorists to attract followers, calling it “quite terrifying.”
The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has published a report on violence against women and girls, describing the situation as a “national emergency.” According to the NPCC, one in 12 women in England and Wales becomes a victim of violence each year, affecting approximately two million women. This alarming issue has been escalating, with increasingly complex types of offending.
Deputy Chief Constable Blyth emphasized that officers focusing on violence against women and girls are collaborating with counter-terrorism teams to address the radicalisation risks posed to young men. She pointed out the significant influence of figures like Andrew Tate, whose content is known to have a radicalising impact on boys.
Tate, a controversial British-American influencer and self-proclaimed “misogynist,” gained notoriety after appearing on Big Brother in 2016. He is currently awaiting trial in Romania on charges of rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women sexually, charges he denies. Schools across the UK report an increasing number of students who admire Tate, further highlighting the issue.
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EPA – Andrew Tate pictured in Bucharest, Romania, last month for a court hearing
The NPCC and College of Policing’s extensive report highlights that violence against women and girls has reached “epidemic” levels. Key threats identified include sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking, and child sexual abuse. The report notes a 37% increase in violent crimes against women and girls between 2018 and 2023, with over a million such crimes recorded in England and Wales last year alone, accounting for 20% of all recorded crimes.
While some of the rise is attributed to increased reporting and awareness, police chiefs stress that domestic abuse remains a significant and growing demand on police resources. The report estimates that one in 20 adults, or 2.3 million people, perpetrate such violence annually.
To address these issues, the NPCC is creating a central hub to provide police forces with specialist knowledge and training. The government has welcomed this initiative and aims to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has prioritized this issue, with Labour’s manifesto promising new specialist domestic abuse workers in 999 control rooms and specialist rape investigation units in every police force across England and Wales.
As policing faces numerous challenges, including retention and morale issues, the need for trained officers and additional resources is more pressing than ever.