London Police Launch VAWG Patrols to Protect Women at Summer Concerts

June 19, 2025
London Police Launch VAWG Patrols to Protect Women at Summer Concerts
  • Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, has expressed support for these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of making women feel safe in public spaces.

  • To bolster public protection efforts, an additional 565 officers and staff have been allocated to strengthen investigations into domestic abuse, rape, and sexual offences.

  • Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell has reiterated that protecting women and girls is a top priority for the Metropolitan Police, which is collaborating with the government to significantly reduce violence against them.

  • Specially trained officers will be stationed inside venues and along transport routes to identify potential threats and reassure concertgoers.

  • These patrols, known as Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) patrols, aim to engage with the public to foster a sense of safety while discreetly identifying and removing individuals who may pose a threat.

  • The V100 project, initiated to target high-risk offenders linked to serious sexual assaults, has already resulted in 177 arrests and 129 convictions since its launch 18 months ago.

  • The Metropolitan Police in London is rolling out new measures to enhance the safety of women and girls at concerts this summer, coinciding with over 50 major music events expected to draw more than three million attendees, particularly at venues like Wembley Stadium.

  • To address the unprecedented number of concerts planned, the police are deploying dedicated patrols specifically focused on protecting women and girls during these events.

  • The operation commenced on June 5, 2025, during a concert by Beyoncé, leading to the removal of a stalking suspect and the arrest of a man for upskirting.

  • In addition to patrols, the Metropolitan Police has enhanced its use of live facial recognition technology to track individuals wanted for offences, including those under sexual harm prevention orders.

  • The success of these initiatives will be gauged by public trust in the police and their effectiveness in recording and responding to incidents, ensuring confidence in safety measures throughout the concert season.

  • Police deployment strategies will be tailored based on the demographics of concert audiences, with specific approaches for events that attract different gender ratios, such as Dua Lipa's predominantly female audience.

Summary based on 6 sources


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