Mum of murdered Hull student Libby Squire backing police campaign to target 'low level offences'
Lisa Squire is working with police to make sure potential warning signs are spotted much earlier
The mum of murdered University of Hull student Libby Squire is backing a Devon and Cornwall Police campaign urging women to report supposedly 'low level' offences.
Lisa Squire says the 21-year-old's killer had committed a string of offences and potential red flags were missed as his behaviour escalated.
She said: "It is unrealistic to expect that if you report to the police that night that they are going to go and catch that person but what they've then got is the information which leads towards the intelligence to be able to hopefully be able to apprehend that person."
This week is Devon & Cornwall Police's Victim Focus Week, which is highlighting the 10th anniversary of its Victim Care Unit - a free, specialist support service available to any victim.
Police are focussing on Violence Against Women and Girls and have held a 'Lived Experience Day' where victims shared their experiences of domestic abuse, stalking and sexual offences.
In the 12 months to February 2025, 104,811 victim-based crimes were recorded by Devon and Cornwall Police - up by 13.5 per cent compared with the previous year.
The second part of the campaign includes an educational package for younger people aged between 14 and 18 . The force is working with schools 'to educate young people about violence against women and girls and specifically about non-contact sexual offences that can occur in public spaces'.
It aims to 'provide information to young people about how to keep themselves and their friends safe'.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has dedicated funding of more than £9.5 million in 2024-25 to support victims through the services it commissions.