A new initiative, launched in Bedford on Friday (1 August), aims to help keep people safe in pubs, bars and nightclubs whilst on a night out.
Project Vigilant is part of the Bedfordshire Police’s work to tackle male violence against women and girls (MWAWG).
It aims to target perpetrator behaviours, which are often displayed before a sexual offence takes place.
Officers will be proactively focusing on prevention and pursuing those responsible for perpetrating abuse.
Plain-clothed officers will patrol designated areas and flag any person of concern to uniformed officers. The uniformed officers then move in to engage, and where appropriate, they will take action to prevent further escalation.
The operation will see officers both in uniform and plain clothes, deployed in and around Bedford town centre.
Chief Inspector Mark Farrant said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for our force and Project Vigilant is an important part of this as everyone has a right be safe whilst on a night out.
“We initially implemented Project Firefly a few years ago, which has done a great job in targeting perpetrators and protecting people in those night-time hot spots and Project Vigilant aims to continue this good work.
“With a significant focus on targeting perpetrators, we remain committed to working with our partners to make Bedfordshire a safer place to go out at night.”
, aims to help keep people safe in pubs, bars and nightclubs whilst on a night...){kind=link}