Angiolini Inquiry highlights Thames Valley Police’s work tackling predatory behaviour
Part 2 of the Angiolini Inquiry makes stark reading for policing. The Inquiry was established after the rape and murder of Sarah Everard and Part 2 looks at how the police can and should improve safety for women.
There are 13 recommendations made to the police, Police & Crime Commissioners and the Government. I will be following up with all of those relevant to Thames Valley, to ensure we continue to improve the protection of women in our community.
The report by Lady Elish Angiolini has however praised the work of Thames Valley Police through an operation called, Project Vigilant.
Project Vigilant is a proactive policing initiative designed to prevent sexual offences before they occur by identifying and disrupting predatory behaviour.
The Inquiry describes Vigilant as clear-sighted, having an unrelenting focus on identifying predatory men and rapists, preventing them from offending or reoffending. The focus on perpetrators is critical.
The Inquiry noted that Project Vigilant is “one of the best measures available to prevent sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces and to help increase understanding and knowledge of perpetrators of these crimes”.
The report also references Thames Valley Police’s work reviewing suspicious incidents and pre cursor offences known as Operation Vedette and will continue to develop this in coordination with Project Vigilant.
Detective Superintendent Jon Capps, Head of Rape and Sexual Offences at Thames Valley Police, and the force’s Project Vigilant lead, said:
“We welcome the Inquiry’s recognition of Project Vigilant and the hard work that has gone in to making it a success. However, we know there is more to do.
“We are working with other forces, the Home Office and academic researchers to ensure Vigilant continues to evolve. For example, we have introduced People Screening Drug Detection Dogs who have been trained to detect drugs commonly used in spiking offences.
“Violence Against Women and Girls is a force priority and Project Vigilant is at the heart of our response. We want would-be perpetrators to know we have dedicated teams watching their actions if they plan to commit a crime.
“Our aims are clear, to stop harm before it happens and put the focus and scrutiny on perpetrators, creating safer public spaces.”
Introduced by the force in 2019, Project Vigilant uncovered widespread predatory behaviour and made clear the need to take a pro-active, preventative and perpetrator-focused approach to VAWG.
The initiative uses a combination of plain clothed Behavioural Detection Officers who observe behaviour of concern and uniformed officers who carry out the intervention.
Over the past year we have:
Carried out more than 150 deployments around our popular bars, clubs, transport hubs and other public spaces, looking for people displaying signs of predatory behaviour.
Engaged with and disrupted more than 250 people showing predatory or concerning behaviour, ensuring those suspected to pose a threat are identified and dealt with swiftly
Acted as a national lead in rolling out Project Vigilant, providing specialist training and best support to forces across the country
Police Sergeant Gary Owen, of the Community Policing Team at Norfolk Police said:
“Norfolk Police launched Project Vigilant officially on White Ribbon Day 2024, and over the last year have delivered numerous patrols in support of our VAWG strategy.
“Thames Valley Police have supported our team with the launch and implementation of Project Vigilant in our County and have been inspirational in helping us to change mindsets and empower our officers and the public to challenge when things don't feel right.
“The tactic has been extremely well received by the patrons of our nighttime economies, partner agencies and the general public, and it is going from strength to strength here in Norfolk.”
Vigilant is also a partnership approach with venues and transport providers to share intelligence and safeguard vulnerable individuals. We work with communities to encourage reporting.
This collaborative effort has helped embed a consistent approach to tackling predatory behaviour nationwide, with some forces producing innovative communications campaigns, including creative Instagram and TikTok content to raise public awareness.
These efforts form part of a wider strategy that includes Operation Soteria to improve investigations into rape and sexual offences, and White Ribbon accreditation, demonstrating Thames Valley Police’s commitment to combating violence against women and girls.
For more information on Thames Valley Police’s work to tackle VAWG, visit: Thames Valley Police VAWG Strategy.
