Police Launch Project Vigilant to Shut Down Predatory Behaviour in Town Centre
Police have teamed up with local pubs and clubs to tackle predatory behaviour head-on and keep women safe in the Town Centre. The new initiative, dubbed Project Vigilant, saw officers hit the streets on Friday, 17 March, and Saturday night for crackdowns and patrols.
Joint Effort Between Police and Licensed Venues
Police Sergeant Sarah Wolfe from the Town Centre Team explained the tough approach: “On Friday night we ran a joint briefing with police and staff at licensed venues. We discussed how to work best together to keep the public safe and take robust action against unacceptable behaviour. It’s vital we keep this partnership strong.”
To kick things off, the Met and local borough officers set up an engagement stand, reaching out to party-goers at the start of their night out.
Engaging the Public and Taking Action
Sergeant Wolfe added: “We spoke to 130 women to hear their safety concerns and 50 men were encouraged to act as good bystanders by reporting any suspicious behaviour to staff or police.”
Tough measures were taken too. On Friday, a 37-year-old man was arrested for indecent exposure after security flagged him at a pub. He’s now on bail while investigations continue.
Plus, 14 men were kicked out of the town centre under Section 35 powers for likely causing harassment or distress through predatory behaviour. Officers can exclude individuals for up to 48 hours to prevent trouble.
Project Vigilant: Plain Clothes and Uniform Patrols
Project Vigilant uses a combination of plain-clothed and uniformed officers to patrol busy nightlife hotspots, spotting and deterring predators before they strike.
“It was great to engage with so many members of the public and remind them we are here for their safety,” Sergeant Wolfe said. “We will keep working hard to tackle predatory behaviour and protect women.”
