Police to expand Operation Vigilance to tackle violence against women
Plainclothes and high-visibility patrols could be rolled out to more events after positive early results
Police say they plan to expand a specialist operation aimed at improving safety for women and girls following its use in city centre night-time economies.
The initiative known as Operation Vigilance has been running in the lead-up to Christmas and involves a mixture of plainclothes and high-visibility officers deployed in busy areas.
Mabbett said officers are briefed to identify both potential perpetrators and people who may be vulnerable and in need of support.
“We deploy a mixture of plainclothes and high-visibility officers all briefed on what to look out for” she said. “That includes suspicious behaviour from people who may be looking to offend against women and girls as well as identifying people who are vulnerable and need some support.”
She said the operation also involves working closely with partners in the city centre to ensure help is available quickly.
Police are now looking to increase the focus on Operation Vigilance next year and extend it beyond the night-time economy.
“That’s definitely a priority going forward” Mabbett said. “We’re hoping to roll the operation out to more events not just those linked to the night-time economy.”
Operation Vigilance was first developed by Thames Valley Police where it has been credited with identifying offenders and preventing harm.
“There’s really strong evidence from Thames Valley around the results they’ve seen and the offenders they’ve identified through this approach” Mabbett said.
She added that police are also considering what action should be taken once individuals displaying concerning behaviour are identified.
“The next step is looking at what we do with those individuals” she said. “That could include civil orders to control behaviour or taking a criminal route where necessary.”
Police say the expanded use of the operation is part of wider efforts to improve safety and confidence in public spaces.