West Yorkshire Police deploy plain-clothed officers to prevent sexual offences
Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 26 Oct, 05:57 · Archive
West Yorkshire Police is deploying plain-clothed officers to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour before sexual offences occur.
West Yorkshire Police has launched Project Vigilant, a new initiative designed to prevent sexual offences before they occur. The scheme deploys plain-clothed and uniformed officers in busy town and city centre locations across West Yorkshire to identify and disrupt concerning behaviour.
The partnership-led approach involves West Yorkshire Police working with local authorities, businesses, licensed premises, transport providers and other organisations. The initiative is funded by the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership and run in partnership with the Mayor's Women's Safety Unit.
Superintendent Phil Coward, West Yorkshire Police's lead for violence against women and girls, said: "Everyone has the right to feel safe when enjoying a night out or travelling through our towns and cities. Project Vigilant is about preventing harm before it happens. By identifying concerning behaviour early and intervening where necessary, we can help protect potential victims, disrupt offenders and create safer environments for everyone."
As part of the scheme, officers are trained to look for warning signs that someone may be targeting or harassing others, allowing for early intervention. Frontline workers including bar staff, door supervisors and public transport employees have also received training to recognise predatory behaviour.
Warning signs include following individuals, making inappropriate sexual comments or attempting to isolate someone who appears vulnerable. The initiative is part of West Yorkshire Police's broader commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, following statistics showing that in the past 12 months, 80 per cent of sexual assault victims in West Yorkshire were women and 91 per cent of offenders were male.
How it is being reported
- Plain-clothed police officers deployed to prevent sexual offences in West YorkshirePOLICE in West Yorkshire are deploying plain-clothed officers on the streets to prevent sexual offences before they happen.Wharfedale Observer · 26 Oct, 05:00
- Plain-clothed police officers deployed to prevent sexual offences in West YorkshirePOLICE in West Yorkshire are deploying plain-clothed officers on the streets to prevent sexual offences before they happenKeighley News · 26 Oct, 05:00
- Plain-clothed police officers deployed to prevent sexual offences in West YorkshirePOLICE in West Yorkshire are deploying plain-clothed officers on the streets to prevent sexual offences before they happenTelegraph & Argus · 26 Oct, 05:00
- Undercover police & venue staff join forces across West Yorkshire to stop sexual predators before they strikePlain-clothed police officers, door staff, and transport workers across West Yorkshire are taking to town and city centres under a new proactive initiative designed to spot predatory behaviour and stop sexual offences before they happenYorkshire Evening Post · 26 Oct, 04:30
In this story: West Yorkshire Police · Mayor's Women's Safety Unit · West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership · Phil Coward · West Yorkshire
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