Co-organiser of the Manchester march, Alison Campbell, said they “welcome the commitment to halve violence against women and girls by 50% in 10 years”.

“We’re not quite sure how they’re going to achieve it and we want that to be taken a step further.”

The government’s announcement comes after a number of high-profile deaths of women and girls, plus coverage of grooming gangs.

In 2024, the National Police Chiefs’ Council said more than a million VAWG-related crimes were recorded during 2022/23 – making up about 20% of all police recorded crime.

They also said offences had risen by 37% between 2018 and 2023.

At the Manchester march, Ms Cain said: “It’s unacceptable – it’s not the society we should have.

“It’s a real shame that we don’t feel safe in the streets or in our own home either.”