Police are raising alarms about the radicalization of young men into extreme misogyny, noting similarities to how terrorists recruit followers. Senior officer Maggie Blyth warned that influencers like Andrew Tate are particularly concerning in this context. Blyth highlighted that, as part of a broader strategy, police are collaborating with counter-terrorism units to address this issue.

A recent report by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) describes violence against women and girls in England and Wales as a "national emergency," with an estimated one in 12 women affected annually—around two million women. The report indicates a troubling rise in complex forms of offending. The NPCC reported a 37% increase in violent crimes against women and girls from 2018 to 2023, with over one million such crimes recorded last year, representing 20% of all crimes.

Deputy Chief Constable Blyth mentioned that violence against women and girls now involves working with counter-terrorism teams due to online radicalization, citing Andrew Tate as a key figure influencing young men. Tate, a controversial figure known for his misogynistic views, faces trial in Romania on charges including rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to exploit women, which he denies.

The NPCC report also highlighted key threats such as sexual violence, domestic abuse, stalking, and child sexual abuse. Domestic abuse remains a major concern for police, driven in part by increased reporting and awareness.

To address these issues, the NPCC is establishing a central hub to support police forces with specialized knowledge and training. The government supports this initiative and aims to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has emphasized that this issue will be a top priority. Labour has proposed increasing resources by adding specialist domestic abuse workers in 999 control rooms and creating specialized rape investigation units across England and Wales, though details on implementation are still forthcoming. This plan would require additional trained officers and resources amid current challenges in policing.