'Undercover Cops' will be out and about on New Year's Eve

AIMING TO HELP SAFEGUARD WOMEN AND GIRLS IN CLUBS

-  CARL EVE

DEVON and Cornwall Police are aiming to put the predators who targeted women and girls on the back foot at New Year using a policing tactic involving 'undercover' cops.

With the festive season in full swing, Devon & Cornwall Police issued advice to everyone who plans to be out and about in the evening, offering advice on how to keep themselves and everyone else safe. The force revealed it would also be actively keeping an eye out for sexually aggressive behaviour.

It has also admitted it will be making use of Project Vigilant - a policing tactic which has seen huge reduction in rape and sexual assaults in other parts of the country.

In mid-2019, Thames Valley Police launched the programme, following a spike in sexual offences linked to nightspots. In an effort to tackle the issues, the force deployed plainclothes officers in and around venues. Dressed as if they were on a night out themselves, the officers were trained to look out for men exploiting others who were vulnerable, or who had become vulnerable, through drink, or who had become lost or separated from their friends.