WEST YORKSHIRE Mayor, Tracy Brabin who has previously campaigned for the safety of women and girls spoke out about the death of London teacher Sabina Nessa.

Sabina Nessa was walking to a pub to meet her friend in Kidbrooke, Southeast London, when she was attacked.

Her body was found near a community centre in Kidbrooke.

Ms Brabin said: “The death of Sabina is extremely shocking news, and my heart goes out to her family and friends.

“We will not and cannot stand by and accept violence against women and girls as part of our society.

“We must do everything in our power, locally and nationally, to turn the tide against gender-based violence and improve safety.

“This means collectively doing more to change the behaviours and attitudes towards women, whilst meeting the needs of victims and survivors.

“As one of my key manifesto pledges, it will sit firmly within my Police and Crime Plan, which is currently out for consultation until November 19, 2021.”

Ms Brabin has always been vocal about the violence surrounding women and girls, making it a key issue for her West Yorkshire policing plan.

Latest statistics from the Home Office’s open crime database for the 12 months ending March 2020, show that when data is combined from the region's four police forces, 10 women are sexually assaulted and nearly 11 women are raped every day in Yorkshire.

Figures for sexual violence in Yorkshire are higher than the average in England.

With the deaths of Sabina Nessa and Sarah Everard, the safety of girls and women is becoming more important than ever.