Undercover police to patrol North Wales bars to keep women safe
Undercover police officers will patrol bars in Wrexham and Flintshire during the lead up to Christmas in a move to keep women and girls safe.
North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, has announced the new initiative as well as securing an extra £202,000 towards its funding.
Being the first of its kind in Wales, the initiative is part of the Safety of Women at Night campaign.
Mingling amongst the partygoers across North Wales will be four uniformed officers, two plain clothed officers and a sergeant, with at least one of the officers being female.
Officers will identify vulnerable women and girls, ensuring that they get home safely.
They will also be identifying any potential offenders, stopping and searching them for any substances that could be used to spike drinks and incapacitate victims, and taking preventative action.
The initiative comes at a time where calls are being made to tackle spiking in Wales as many across the country have become victims in recent months.
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Following a worrying number of sexual attacks over recent years, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Andy Dunbobbin, said: “We’re determined in North Wales to do all we can to protect people and keep our streets safe at this the busiest time of the year for the night-time economy.
“We want people to be able to enjoy themselves sensibly and above all to get home safely and we believe that putting extra eyes on the streets can make a difference.
“We also believe that the fact that our officers will be in plain clothes means that they will be able to blend in so that anyone with evil intent won’t know if we’re watching.”
As well as undercover officers patrolling Wrexham and Flintshire town bars, other measures are also in place to keep the women and girls of North Wales safe.
Eight registered door staff will be posted at taxi ranks on Friday and Saturday nights as part of a taxi marshall scheme that’s been established.
Other measures include a campaign to raise awareness among college and university students as well as learning packages for men and boys to increase understanding about sexual assault. A short film will also be produced as a training package for parents and guardians.
The extra £202,000 towards this campaign comes soon after North Wales Police and Wrexham County Borough Council secured £390,000 to reduce the number of offences involving violence against women and girls in Wrexham.
In 2019, Northumbria Police did a pilot in the pubs and clubs of Newcastle-upon-Tyne which proved a big success.
Police reported a 30% reduction in rapes and serious assaults in the city centre.
Chief Inspector Stephen Wykes, who led the operation in Newcastle, said: “As with any really unique operation we have had to test it and with the figures that we are seeing I would suggest that it is an effective way to operate.”
Mr Dunbobbin added: “There are a number of reasons a person can become vulnerable, including excess alcohol, getting lost, or becoming separated from friends.
“Our officers will be there on the streets and they’ll be on the look-out for the tell-tale signs of vulnerability and also for the kind of predators who might be looking for an opportunity to take advantage of someone.
“They will be on the streets and ready to step in to keep people safe.”