A PETITION calling for police officers and staff accused of violence against women and girls to be suspended while claims are investigated was delivered to Downing Street yesterday.

Women’s charity Refuge delivered the 50,000-strong petition one year after a damning review by Baroness Louise Casey found Britain’s largest police force is institutionally racist, homophobic and misogynistic.

Police are currently under no obligation to suspend staff being investigated for allegations of violence against women and girls.

Refuge interim chief executive Abigail Ampofo said it was “deeply shocking” that it is not currently mandatory for officers and staff to be suspended, pending investigation, when accused of violence against women and girls.

“In any other profession, suspension would be the norm, as would frequent vetting, so what makes policing any different?” she said.

“It is time that we remove the rot from police forces across the country and start restoring women’s trust in policing to protect them.”

Only a quarter of officers and staff facing accusations were suspended from duty last year while the claims were investigated, Refuge said.