Thames Valley Police launch programme to combat predatory behaviour
Aylesbury Vale's Superintendent says it is particularly relevant as lockdown eases
Aylesbury Vale's Superintendant says they are looking at how a force-wide initiative to combat predatory behaviour will be used in the area.
Thames Valley Police is developing Project Vigilant force wide following a successful pilot of the initiative launched in Oxford.
Project Vigilant was launched in 2019 to target predatory behaviour in order to prevent sexual offences taking place following a 12% increase in non-domestic sexual offences taking place in the Oxford local policing area, with 368 recorded in 2018 and 413 in 2019.
The trial saw a 50% reduction in rape and 30% reduction in sexual assaults in the night time economy in Oxford.
Mike Loebenberg, Aylesbury Vale's Superintendent, says the widening of the scheme is important as lockdown eases:
"Project Vigilant has a number of tactics involved ultimately to take positive action to discourage inappropriate behaviour and that may include arrest.
"We are obviously looking at a range of tactics we can use here, particularly as our night time economy starts to reopen.
"We are providing additional training to officers locally, and we will be working with partners and licensees as to what can be done in their premises."
Detective Chief Inspector James Senior, of Oxford CID based at St Aldates police station said:
“My team and I are committed to ensuring that the local community can have an enjoyable night out without the fear of being sexually assaulted.
“Through the pilot in Oxford, we found that utilising undercover officers and deploying them on the street meant that we were able to witness this behaviour first hand and intervene more quickly.
“This behaviour is clearly unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“It was a real privilege to receive an international award for this initiative. It is fantastic that the work of our officers and staff has received international recognition and those involved in its implementation should be very proud.”
Thames Valley Police's Chief Constable John Campbell said:
“This proactive approach has had positive results and I am pleased that it has been recognised nationally as an important tactic in combatting sexual offending and increasing safety in the night time economy.
“This behaviour is clearly unacceptable and the force works hard to safeguard potential victims and bring offenders to justice.
“Thames Valley Police is committed to making the streets safer and Project Vigilant is just one way in which the force makes the Thames Valley a hostile place for perpetrators wanting to commit sexual offences.”
Tonight a talk will be held by Bauer on women’s safety and what can be done to implement change.
'We Need To Talk About Women’s Safety' will stream at 8pm Wednesday 31st March, for more information click here.