Police are responding to concerns felt by women and girls – by sending out specialist patrols to offer reassurance and catch offenders in busy nightlife areas during the festive party season.
More high-visibility officers will be out in the run-up to Christmas, while police in plain clothes will also be deployed to identify anyone displaying inappropriate or predatory behaviour.
The move follows concerns raised in a survey carried out by police to hear more from women and girls on how they felt about their own personal safety.
Feeling safe in the night-time economy was raised as a key worry, leading to an extra focus on violence against women and girls.
This will be factored into the work that usually goes on ahead of Christmas to protect the public and help keep them safe during a busy time of the year for parties and nights out.
Last year Cumbria Police ran the Call It Out survey online, so the force could hear more from women and girls on how they felt about their own personal safety.
More than 2,480 people took part. The data has since been analysed and it is now being used to better inform police services and work with partners.
Detective Inspector Mike Taylor is the Cumbria Police dedicated operational detective inspector overseeing work on the issue of violence against women and girls, known as VAWG.
He said: “We’ve listened to what women and girls have said – and one of the concerns raised in the survey was about being a victim of crime in the night-time economy.
“As a result our general policing operation around Christmas this year will have an extra focus on VAWG so we can address these concerns, provide reassurance and catch offenders.
“Let’s be clear: Feeling unsafe is obviously not an experience exclusive to women and girls and our officers are out there to protect everyone and ensure everyone’s welfare.
“But some of the offences that occur in the night time economy, such as sexual offences and harassment offences, are overwhelmingly committed by males against females.
“The concerns women have about feeling unsafe on a night out merits this extra focus – and our patrols will act accordingly.”
The response will include:
- The regular police patrols put out to respond to incidents, ensure safety and offer reassurance in the night-time economy during the festive season
- Welfare patrols run by neighbourhood police teams, who will concentrate on the welfare of women and girls while out at this busy time of the year.
- Operation Vigilant patrols – a blend of uniform officers and plain clothed officers who identify those displaying predatory or unacceptable behaviour in the night-time economy, focussing on hot spots where violence against women and girls might take place.
The welfare and Vigilant patrols will be run across the busiest areas for nights out, including Barrow, Bowness, Kendal, Whitehaven and Carlisle.
DI Taylor said: “Operation Vigilant will include high visibility 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.
“Violence against women and girls is unacceptable and everyone should be safe and feel safe, no matter where they are.
“Women and girls should not have to avoid certain areas or change their own behaviour, through fear of being abused or harassed.”
Throughout December the force will also be giving out advice on social media on other types of crimes which are often linked to nights out or times when people drink more alcohol.
This will include domestic abuse – which can rise at this time of the year – and spiking.
Spiking
Spiking is giving someone alcohol or drugs without them knowing or agreeing. For example, in their drink.
DI 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.
“Victims can be male as well as female – but women are predominantly more likely to be targeted.
“Whatever the intention, the outcome is leaving women vulnerable and feeling unsafe.
“We therefore treat spiking with the same seriousness as other crimes relating to violence against women and girls..”
DI Taylor said the earlier people report offences such as this the better.
This is because, if the spiking was carried out with a drug, some drugs can leave the body within hours, so testing is better done sooner than later.
He added: “We would also like to know about any spiking incident, no matter how long ago it happened.
“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.”
Domestic abuse
DI 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 are also keen to stress the range of support services available.
DI 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.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Violence of any kind is completely unacceptable, and help is available to anyone who experiences a crime.
"However, we must acknowledge that women and girls are unfortunately disproportionally affected by violent crimes.
I would urge anyone that has been a victim to please come forward and report it to the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency: you are not alone.
“However, I understand that not everyone feels comfortable reporting to the police. Which is why I commission services across Cumbria to provide support to those who have experienced a crime to help them cope and recover – whether they have reported to the police or not, no matter if the crime is recent or historic.
"One of these services is Victim Support who can provide tailored help or signpost you to another service that is better suited to help you. Call the Victim Support Support Line at any time of day on 08 08 16 89 111.
“Please reach out for help – you will be believed and supported.”
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 | Cumbria Police
You can get more advice on spiking here: Spiking | Cumbria Police
You can also report spiking here: How to report spiking to the police | Cumbria Police
How do I access a range of 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/