West Midlands Police VR Training helps to combat crimes against women

Virtual reality technology is used to train new police officers to provide an insight into male crimes against women.

The West Midlands police said it was the first force in Great Britain, which works with the training provider Calico and delivers the interactive meetings to 700 new recruits by April.

Officers wear virtual reality headsets in which they are put into a woman's shoes after dark.

The force said that the classes were part of a more comprehensive approach to tackle crimes such as stalking, harassment, rape and domestic abuse.

The simulation enables the officials to hit four different routes through the city through park, taxi and bus.

In each scene, users hear the real voices and living experiences of women, which helps them, immerse themselves in the experience and understand the incident from the victim's perspective.

The West Midlands police said the male officials benefit the most from the project.

PC Aaron Whitinglow said: “I have never experienced the world as a woman.

“The session threw me into this world through the virtual reality protection glasses and we have had some good discussions with female colleagues.

“It really made me think about thinking about how I would support victims, how my actions can be perceived and as a new father in what kind of world my daughter will grow up.”

The troop said, while colleagues already completed a variety of training courses to ensure that they were able to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG), this program would equip better civil servants to protect the victims.

The deputy chief Constable Jen Mattinson, Force Lead for VAWG, said: “I am proud that the police from West Midlands have the pioneer by offering like this training to provide training for violence against women and girls.

“This session is one of many tools in which we invest as strength to protect the communities we serve and we will constantly invest time, money and effort to combat VAWG.”