In the last couple of years, there have been several high-profile cases of police officers abusing their position of power over women.

Most recently Met Police officer David Carrick was charged with 49 counts of various crimes including rape, indecent assault and false imprisonment whilst serving.

Additionally, the PA News Agency reported that two or three Metropolitan Police officers are expected to appear in court each week to face criminal charges in the coming months.

As a result, trust is likely to have further withered away among women towards police officers, and on a local level Hampshire Police have said "the onus" is on them to provide "reassurance" to women when they are approached by a lone male officer.

Daily Echo: Hampshire Police have said the onus is on them to rebuild trustHampshire Police have said the onus is on them to rebuild trust (Image: PA)

They have guidance in place to try and rebuild this trust.

Hampshire Police guidance for approaching a lone woman

Hampshire Police have said it is "rare" for a lone male police officer to approach a lone woman or girl, but if it is necessary to do so they have a number of steps in place.

They said: "We will disconnect any earpiece and call up the control room on our police radio in the presence of the female advising the control room of their name and call sign and the location of the stop.

"This ensures that the call is logged and recorded on the contact management system and the wider force is aware of the location and the identity of the officer who is dealing."

The second step is to turn on their body-worn video camera and let them know it has been activated.

Any officer will also not put a lone female in a vehicle without having other officers present.

Hampshire Police added: "In the event that a lone male officer must arrest a lone woman or a girl, they will only be placed into an independent marked police vehicle, deployed to the location via the control room."

This guidance is in place "to put the public at ease" and "empowers women and girls with the official process of how a stop or arrest will take place" Hampshire Police say.

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