Norfolk Police say new 'multi-agency' initiative will prevent crime & increase safeguarding
'Project Vigilant' will see plain-clothed and uniformed officers work to clampdown on sexual violence against women in the night-time economy
Norfolk Police is telling us their new 'multi-agency' initiative will help prevent crime and ensure more vulnerable people are properly safeguarded.
The pilot of 'Project Vigilant' launched this week and will see plain-clothed and uniformed officers work to clampdown on sexual violence against women in the night-time economy.
These patrols will take place in in the lead up Christmas and beyond.
However, the exact dates of these aren't being announced ahead of time, in order to maximum on the perpetrators they are targeting.
The Police say this initiative will focus on those who behave inappropriately, such as harassment, cat-calling and serious sexual offences often targeted those who are vulnerable.
"By using these different skills, perpetrators are more likely to be identified and caught in the act"
Sergeant Gary Owen, who is managing the project operationally, said:
“This project allows us to observe the behaviour of people and pick up on behaviours and actions which may look suspicious.
“Our plain clothes officers are trained to notice potentially harmful behaviours and can then pass the information to our uniformed colleagues to follow up. By using these different skills, perpetrators are more likely to be identified and caught in the act.
“Officers can engage in a conversation, give words of advice or take positive actions such as removing that person from the nighttime economy through a banning order or through arrest.”