Hounslow Council Leader, Shantanu Rajawat, has said that the Casey Report is a potentially defining moment in the history of the Metropolitan Police.

Baroness Casey of Blackstock published her 363-page report into the culture and standards of the Met Police, which she was commissioned to write after the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving police officer Wayne Couzens, in 2021 and finds a series of systemic issues within the service. 

Councillor Rajawat has responded to the report and said that its findings are of the utmost severity and sad that he believes that the trust in the police needs to be rebuilt desperately. 

He said: "I was shocked and appalled to read the findings of Baroness Casey's report on the Met. Misogyny, racism and homophobia have no place anywhere in our society, let alone within the ranks of those we expect to maintain law and order.  

"This is a defining moment for policing in London, and what is incredibly sad is that women across the capital and many of our diverse communities will not be surprised by the findings. 

"Hounslow Council fully supports the recommendations set out in the Casey report. Policing by consent is a fundamental principle of modern policing – the idea that ordinary people will trust the police to act honourably - and be held accountable for their actions.  

"Hounslow residents expect and deserve a police service they can trust. 

"It is essential the Met now takes determined and urgent action to address the clear recommendations in the report, working with our communities in an effective and meaningful way. 

"At this difficult time for London, I remain incredibly proud of the community cohesion that characterises Hounslow with our rich diversity of communities and people. 

"And despite these unprecedented developments, it remains important that residents and communities continue to look out for each other, and report crime to the Metropolitan police locally or dial 999 if there is an emergency that requires the urgent attendance of police."