Secret police on duty in West nightclubs
UNDERCOVER police, dressed as if on an evening out, are visiting nightclubs to spot predatory behaviour in a new initiative to protect people from attackers.
Devon and Cornwall Police have introduced the initiative in Plymouth, with a pilot test at a popular nightclub.
The officers are trained to look out for men exploiting others who are vulnerable, appear drunk, or have become lost or separated from their friends.
The tactic, codenamed Project Vigilant was first tried in the Thames Valley area. Police officers also patrolled alleyways, side streets and parks and taught security staff to spot instances of predatory behaviour.
Inspector Dom Nicholls, neighbourhood lead for the Plymouth city centre patch, said the operation is now underway in Plymouth and it is hoped it will prevent people – particularly women and girls – from becoming victims.
“We very recently carried out a pilot operation in light of a number of issues, such as concerns over drink spiking and women’s safety,” Insp Nicholls said. “Effectively, we placed a small team of plainclothes officers in a city nightclub who carried out observations.
“The door staff were not initially informed until a while later when uniformed officers alerted them. The feedback from door staff was exceptionally positive and supportive.
“We’re looking for individuals involved in predatory behaviour – such as drink spiking, sexual assault, targeting vulnerable individuals.
“Drink spiking is not a significant issue in the city of Plymouth and there is already a lot of work being done by a number of agencies, including Best Bar None and the pubs and club themselves.”
Insp Nicholls noted that, with a swathe of younger police officers recently joining the force, those tasked with the role were in no way obvious to revellers and were adept at effectively looking like any other young partygoer.
He said: “These are officers who look just like any other person on a night out, and with many people choosing not to drink alcohol while out, either because they’re driving or due to the cost, they don’t stand out at all.
“They very much blend into the background and easily fit in”