Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Friday 21st March 2025, at 15:00hrs
The Metropolitan Police has announced a significant milestone in its fight against violence against women and girls (VAWG), with over 100 of London’s most dangerous offenders convicted through its innovative V100 program.
This data-driven initiative uses advanced analytics to identify and target the men who pose the highest risk to women, leading to a substantial increase in arrests and convictions.
The V100 program, which utilizes crime reports and the Cambridge Crime Harm Index to assess the severity of potential harm, has proven highly effective.
The program’s monthly updated “stack” of the most harmful offenders has more than doubled the risk of arrest for VAWG suspects.
Notably, around three-quarters of those on the V100 list are accused of serious offences, including rape, multiple sexual assaults, and murder.
To date, the initiative has resulted in:
* 126 individuals charged with 574 offenses, including rape, grievous bodily harm (GBH), non-fatal strangulation, and attempted murder.
* 155 arrests for a total of 1,246 offenses, with 103 specifically related to VAWG.
* These VAWG related arrests included 42 for rape, 18 for GBH, and 17 for non-fatal strangulation.
The Met’s strategy involves a multifaceted approach, including prioritizing the arrest and interview of wanted suspects, deploying an enhanced manhunt team, and working closely with victims to ensure their safety and input.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell, the Met’s V100 lead, emphasized the program’s impact, stating,
“Every woman and girl in London deserves to feel safe. We are relentlessly focused on those who pose the biggest threat, working hard to intervene before they strike again. Reaching 100 convictions is an important milestone, but our work is far from over.”
Notable convictions stemming from the V100 initiative include:
* Adam Baillie, 39, sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnap, false imprisonment, and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl.
* Jason Phinn, 36, jailed for manslaughter after killing his mother while under the influence of drugs.
* Louis Collins, 30, handed a life sentence for rape, kidnap, and 22 other related offenses, committed against eight women in four days.
* Aaron Bennett, 36, jailed for 5 and a half years for GBH, and non-fatal strangulation of two women.
* Kenneth Ebbah, 42, jailed for 18 years for raping two women.
The Met has also bolstered its resources by adding 565 officers and staff to public protection roles and providing enhanced training to over 20,000 frontline officers.
This has led to a significant increase in the number of arrests and charges for rape and serious sexual offences.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips, and Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, have both praised the V100 program, highlighting its contribution to making London safer for women.
Ada Ibezi, Chair of the Met Police’s Independent Advisory Group on VAWG, welcomed the initiative’s success, noting its effectiveness in apprehending and convicting perpetrators who have long operated with impunity.
The Met Police has made it clear that while this milestone is significant, they are committed to continuing their efforts to protect women and girls across London.
G2K INCIDENT WATCH 