Project Vigilant piloted in Cheltenham to target predatory behaviour

A pilot scheme to target predatory behaviour in the night-time economy has been launched in Cheltenham.

Project Vigilant, which was created and piloted by Thames Valley Police, is aimed at targeting perpetrator behaviour which is often displayed before a sexual offence takes place.

Officers involved in Project Vigilant have received behavioural observation training to enable them to identify specific predatory behaviours which someone may display prior to committing a crime.

With support from a team based in the Force Control Room with access to CCTV, during each deployment plain clothed officers work alongside uniformed officers on the ground in Cheltenham town centre.

Plain clothed officers are looking out for the specific behaviours, and it is then uniformed colleagues who will be alerted and intervene when risk behaviours are seen.

Funding was secured from the Home Office Safer Streets Fund by Gloucestershire's Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for £50,000 to help tackle violence and intimidation against women and girls in the county.

Tackling violence against women and girls is a priority for both the Constabulary and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and features in the Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan.

Vigilant deployments during the pilot in Cheltenham have been taking place on specific evenings since May, and are due to continue into October.  

Superintendent Ian Fletcher said: "Our aim is to intervene and disrupt predatory behaviour which we know often happens outside bars and clubs in busy town and city centres. Such behaviour includes individuals following, leering or harassing others.

"From our deployments so far, the men who have been spoken to after behaviour has been spotted have ranged in age, and the majority of them have a history of offences against women.

"Behaviour we are looking out for is people, predominantly men, who are looking to target women in order to commit sexual offences.

"This project is about intervention, stopping a crime from being committed in the first place. When these behaviours are identified those involved are stopped in order to intervene and disrupt the behaviour and what it may turn into, they are spoken with and further checks are then done on our systems.

"In the future we want to train up more of our officers and change our internal culture, so that those who are already out every weekend policing the night-time economy aren't simply looking for people who might want to start a fight, but instead are also keeping an eye out for someone who may be there to commit sexual offences.

"We are committed to creating a safe environment for everyone, and we need to do this by tackling the problem. This isn't a 'women's safety issue', it is an issue with predominantly male predatory behaviour, and we want to make Gloucestershire a hostile place for offenders."

Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: "I am glad the OPCC have been able to fund this innovative, proactive project. Tackling male violence against women and girls is a top priority for me and my office.

"Disproportionately men victimise and target women who are out of an evening, trying to enjoy themselves, and end up victim to a man sexually assaulting them - or worse.

"The fear women feel is very real and Project Vigilant I hope reassures women and girls that we are proactively looking for these predatory men, intervening and safeguarding women."

As Cheltenham has the busiest night-time economy in the county, it was chosen as the pilot location for the scheme.

In one of the deployments plain clothed officers saw a man who appeared to be hiding in bushes in Sandford Park. He was spoken to by uniformed officers as his behaviour was concerning, further checks were done and he was given stern words of advice and he moved on from the area.

One arrest has been made so far when a plain clothed officer witnessed a man assault a woman he knew.

Supt Fletcher added: "When offences have been identified, arrests will be made, but Vigilant is predominantly about recognising predatory behaviour and intervening to disrupt it before offences are committed.

"Challenging this behaviour before it turns into something more acts as a deterrent and ultimately helps keep people safe from predators."

Project Vigilant is operating in more than 20 police forces.

StreetSafe is an anonymous service where anyone can report safety concerns in public spaces. Read more here: StreetSafe | Gloucestershire Constabulary

If someone has sexually assaulted you, help is available. Police have specially trained officers who can provide support and investigate these type of offences. Call 999 in an emergency, report by calling 101 or online here: Rape, sexual assault or another sexual offence | Police.uk (www.police.uk)