POLICE are stepping up work to identify sexual predators and protect women and girls with regular Project Vigilant deployments continuing across the county.

The initiative, which focuses on spotting predatory behaviour before an offence can happen, has become a key part of the force’s strategy to tackle violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Adopted by Wiltshire Police in 2021, Project Vigilant brings together multiple departments for intelligence-led patrols in night-time hotspots.

These deployments involve uniformed officers, specially trained plain-clothes officers, the drone unit and council CCTV teams, all working together to deter potential offenders.

Plain-clothes officers move through busy areas – outside bars, in town centres or among crowds – looking for early signs of predatory behaviour such as someone lingering without a clear purpose or a man attempting to lead a woman away from her friends.

If officers spot something concerning, uniformed colleagues step in, safeguarding the woman and reuniting her with friends or arranging safe transport home.

Officers can issue a Section 35 Dispersal Order to immediately remove a suspect from the area.

Intelligence gathered on these nights is analysed by the force’s intelligence unit to shape future deployments. Suspects identified through Project Vigilant may also receive follow-up home visits to assess ongoing risk.

Detective Inspector Troy Smith, of the VAWG team at Wiltshire Police and Project Vigilant strategic lead, said: “We work tirelessly to protect the public from sexual violence and bring offenders to justice. Our ambition is to make Wiltshire a hostile environment for sexual predators.”

He added that October’s deployment produced a record amount of intelligence on suspected offenders – a sign that the approach is tightening its net.

Project Vigilant is part of a much wider effort to improve outcomes for victims of serious sexual offences.

Under Operation Soteria, Wiltshire Police has adopted a more “suspect-focused” approach, contributing to a 76% conviction rate so far this year.

Over the past 12 months, the force has secured more than 150 years of custodial sentences for dangerous sexual offenders.

Detective Superintendent Lucy Thorne, force lead for rape and serious sexual assault, said: “Violence against women and girls is a national epidemic. We remain absolutely committed to ending violence against women and girls

Wiltshire Police encourage the public to report any concerns via the website or by calling 101. Anonymous reports can be made through Crimestoppers.