Specialist police patrols are out on the beat in Cumbria over the festive season.
More high-visibility officers are out at peak times as part of the work that usually goes on ahead of Christmas to protect people during a busy time of the year for parties and nights out.
Cumbria police said while officers worked to protect everyone, one of the key factors will be preventing violence against women and girls, which is a force priority.
As a result there will be dedicated Operation Vigilant patrols.
These are a blend of uniform officers and plain clothed officers who identify those displaying predatory or unacceptable behaviour in the night-time economy, focusing on hot spots where violence against women and girls might take place.
Its aim is to proactively target perpetrators of offences.
T/Detective Chief Inspector Mike Taylor is the force operational lead.
He said: “Women and girls should not have to avoid certain areas or change their own behaviour, through fear of being abused or harassed. We are targeting the perpetrators.
“Our general policing operation around Christmas has an extra focus on this so we can address these concerns, provide reassurance and catch offenders.
“Operation Vigilant includes high visibility officers and officers in plain clothes.
“The high visibility officers are there to offer reassurance and those in plain clothes will aim to identify those displaying predatory behaviour or inappropriate behaviour.
“Our officers will be out in busy nightlife areas at key times to offer a visible presence and act as a deterrent against offences such as violence and harassment.”
Domestic abuse
T/DCI Taylor said: “Domestic abuse and protecting vulnerable people are priorities for us all-year-round. Nobody should ever have to suffer domestic abuse – and if you’re scared, there is help out there.
“Tackling these awful crimes and safeguarding vulnerable people is a key priority for us.
“We take reports seriously and we treat all cases with sensitivity.
“If you are suffering, please get in touch. We are here to help and support you. Even if right now you only have questions, I would urge you to contact us.”
Police said they were also keen to stress the range of support services available.
T/DCI Taylor added: “Getting the right support can empower someone to take their next positive step forward.
“There is a whole wealth of support services available in Cumbria. As the police, we can help you access these support services.”
Spiking
Spiking is giving someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing, for example, in their drink.
T/DCI Taylor said: “Spiking is an abhorrent crime and can have a significant, traumatic impact on victims.
“Most cases of spiking don’t lead to sexual assault or theft. But spiking can cause severe distress, emotional harm and anxiety. It can take a long time to recover from someone spiking you.”
T/DCI Taylor said the earlier people reported offences such as this the better it was.
Some drugs can leave the body within hours, so testing is better done sooner than later.
He added: “Our main concern is to make sure the victim gets the support they need. Once the victim is well enough, we are here to support and investigate.
”One of the main points we would make to victims is: You are never to blame and will be believed. This is never the fault of the victim.
“Sometimes people are afraid to speak to the police, perhaps thinking no one will believe them.
“You can tell us about spiking even if you don’t want to go through with forensic testing and an investigation.
“No matter who you are, how long ago the spiking happened or what took place, our prime concern is to give you the support you need.”
How do you report any of these offences to police?
- If you have been the victim of any of these offences, or are concerned for someone who is, you can report this by calling 101.
- Always dial 999 in an emergency.
- You can get more advice about domestic abuse here: Advice about domestic abuse
- You can get more advice on spiking here: What is spiking?
- You can also report spiking here: How to report spiking to the police
How do I access support services?
You can access support services regardless of whether you have reported a crime to the police.
To access support services independently, contact Victim Support 24/7 on 0808 1689 111 – or go to cumbria-pcc.gov.uk/victim-service/
