Lancashire Police is joining forces with partners across the county to officially launch a crackdown on crime in the night time economy - including new measures to protect the most vulnerable.
NightSafe is designed to ensure the public and communities feel safe and ensure everyone can enjoy Lancashire’s night time economy, free from crime, violence or intimidation.
It involves high visibility patrols at key times, door staff checks and robust licensing visits at busy times with swift enforcement action taken if appropriate, along with use of safety schemes such as Ask for Angela, Street Pastors and Street Angels.
The night time economy refers to economic activity between 6pm and 6am, including in hospitality, culture, entertainment and transport.
New to NightSafe is the roll out of Project Vigilant, an initiative designed to protect the most vulnerable whilst being able to enjoy the night time economy.
Project Vigilant aims to tackle violence against women and girls and target perpetrator behaviours to prevent crime.
Already in operation in some other forces, it will be introduced in Lancashire as part of NightSafe from April.
Project Vigilant involves the deployment of specially trained officers to identify concerning behaviour in real time. Plain clothes officers will monitor for predatory behaviours, allowing uniformed colleagues to intervene early and stop situations from escalating.
Assistant Chief Constable Stasia Osiowy is leading the campaign.
She said: ‘’Early identification, intervention and disruption of harmful behaviours can often prevent escalation later in the evening. This will allow members of the public to have a safer, more enjoyable and crime free night out.
‘’A recent survey of women and girls in Lancashire highlighted safety fears and it is hoped that NightSafe – and especially the use of Project Vigilant officers – will help to reassure women and ensure more offenders are brought to justice.
“Our priority is to prevent crime in the night time economy and make sure everyone can visit our towns and cities and enjoy a safe night out.
“As part of our continued work to prevent violence against women and girls, and in response to the safety concerns of local females, we will be placing particular focus on the safety of women and girls in the night-time economy.
“The lighter nights of Summer will also allow us to engage with the public, increase our visibility and reassure people that we are here to protect our communities.
“Alongside the proactive licensing work and visible presence from uniformed officers, visitors to Lancashire will also benefit from our deployment of specially trained plain clothed officers through Project Vigilant.
‘’Their role will be to identify individuals displaying concerning or predatory behaviour and alert their uniformed colleagues who can intervene early.
“We know that most people enjoying an evening out are law-abiding citizens. However, for anyone intent on causing harm, our message is clear - we are proactively targeting behaviour that is unacceptable”.
“We are working closely with licensees and local authorities to robustly enforce licensing laws and ensure pub safety and why, where we need to, we will seek to revoke licences which has already been accomplished in some areas”.
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said: "My recent survey on the safety of women and girls in Lancashire revealed that 93% feel they must change their daily behaviour to avoid potential danger.
‘’This should not be the reality for anyone. My Office, alongside our partners, is working hard to change this, and every positive step we take matters.
"Tackling VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) is a top priority in my Police and Crime Plan for Lancashire and given Project Vigilant's proven track record, I am delighted to see it embedded across the county to detect predatory behaviour, prevent crime, and keep women and girls safe."
Lancashire Police urge anyone who feels unsafe on a night out is urged to seek help immediately either from a member of staff in the venue or in an emergency, 999.
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