The Metropolitan Police are stepping up efforts to protect women and girls from sexual offences at concerts across London, introducing dedicated patrols tailored to violence against women and girls (VAWG). This enhanced security initiative coincides with a busy summer music season, including 51 large-scale events and over three million attendees expected at Wembley Stadium alone.

Central to this policing strategy is the V100 project, a data-driven approach designed to identify and target the most dangerous sexual offenders. Since its launch in August last year, the V100 initiative has led to the arrest of more than 177 high-risk individuals, with 129 convictions secured for a range of serious sexual offences. The project utilises a sophisticated scoring system, incorporating police data and tools like the Cambridge Crime Harm Index, to prioritise suspects based on the severity and frequency of their offences. This method has enhanced the likelihood of arrest for those posing the greatest threat to women and girls, helping the force to focus resources with precision.

The high-profile debut of VAWG patrols took place at Beyonce’s concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 5, resulting in the removal of a suspected stalker and the arrest of a man on suspicion of upskirting. These patrols serve a dual purpose: engaging openly with the public to foster a sense of safety and offering people the confidence to report concerns, while simultaneously identifying and removing individuals deemed unsafe from event venues. Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell emphasised that some officers will operate discreetly within crowds to swiftly intervene when behaviour threatens public safety, though this will not be obvious to most concertgoers.

Beyond concert venues, the Met has significantly bolstered its public protection capabilities by allocating an additional 565 officers and staff, enhancing teams focused on domestic abuse, rape, and sexual offence investigations. The force has also expanded the use of live facial recognition technology to monitor for wanted individuals and those subject to sexual harm prevention orders, enabling quicker responses to breaches and pending offences.

This comprehensive approach aligns with the government’s wider mission to halve violence against women and girls over the current parliamentary term. The Met’s efforts are framed as part of a broader commitment to rebuild public trust and confidence in policing. By tracking public sentiment and encouraging the reporting and recording of crimes, the force aims to create safer environments while holding perpetrators accountable.

While the V100 initiative’s successes have been notable, with over 126 people charged and 574 offences—including serious crimes such as rape, grievous bodily harm, and attempted murder—critics highlight the need for expanded victim support services alongside enforcement. The End Violence Against Women Coalition recognises the Met’s targeted work but stresses that victims require increased resources and help to ensure justice is fully served.

The model of proactive policing and data intelligence seen in London echoes approaches in other parts of the UK, including Gloucestershire, where increased patrols and surveillance measures have been implemented to reduce intimidation and sexual offences during large events such as the Cheltenham Festival. This reflects a growing recognition nationwide of the importance of concerted, visible action to safeguard women and girls in public spaces.

As summer unfolds and the Met continues its VAWG patrols and the V100 operation, the force is focused not just on arrest figures but on building an environment where safety and trust make public events more welcoming and secure for everyone.

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Source: Noah Wire Services