Wiltshire Police launch project to make nights out safer for women
Uniformed and plain clothed officers will target pubs and clubs
Last updated 13th Sep 2021
Wiltshire Police are launching a new scheme in order to make nights out safer for people.
Project Vigilant, first piloted by Thames Valley Police in Oxford, is aimed at targeting perpetrator behaviours, which are often displayed before a sexual offence takes place.
During the year ending August 2020, there were 1,389 sexual assaults and rape offences reported to the Wiltshire force not linked to domestic abuse.
Of these, 50% occurred between the hours of 10pm and 6am.
In order to try and prevent more of these crimes happening, the force are going to have more uniformed and plain clothed police officers targeting pubs and clubs across the county throughout September and October.
Officers will be identifying individuals who may be displaying predatory behaviours in line with guidance received from the National Crime Agency, such as harassment, loitering without reason and stalking behaviour.
Det Chief Insp Gemma Vinton, Wiltshire Police lead for Project Vigilant, said:
“It is a sad fact but, a lot of people, particularly women and girls, are not feeling safe when out at night.
“We’re pleased to be launching this initiative in Wiltshire to address this and make Wiltshire a safer place to go out at night.
“We’re looking at identifying anybody who is showing signs of potential perpetrator behaviour and intervening before they might go on to commit a serious sexual offence.
“Sexual offences have a devastating impact on the victims, so anything we are able to do that prevents people having to go through such a traumatic experience is absolutely the right thing to do.
“I recognise that people have the right to go out and enjoy their night without feeling like the police are watching them, but it is crucial we are there to identify people who may be about to commit sexual offences."
The scheme is being supported by Pub Watch, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council as we all strive to make a safer environment for anyone enjoying their night out.
PCC Philip Wilkinson said:
“Everyone should be able to enjoy a night out across Wiltshire without coming to any harm. It is deeply troubling this isn’t the case.
“We all have a responsibility to report predatory behaviour and educate ourselves, and others, on consent. No means no. It is that simple.
“I welcome this proactive policing operation by Wiltshire Police. Anyone out at night should be confident the Force is targeting those who choose to harass or attack.
“Wiltshire is one of the safest places to live in the UK but too many sexual assaults and rapes are happening far too frequently and, nationally, our prosecution results are a disgrace. I want to see proactive policing of these crimes and increased prosecution outcomes with justice for victims – only then can we say we are truly disrupting crime.
“Increased presence and visibility of officers will always help to deter predators - with Wiltshire’s fair share of the extra officers promised by Government and the Force’s own recruitment targets, we will continue to proactively target those criminals out to cause harm.”
Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault, whether recently or in the past, is encouraged to contact Wiltshire Police.
You can report it online on the Wiltshire Police website or by calling 101.
Always call 999 in an emergency or if a sexual assault has just occurred.