Drones being used to tackle violence against women

As the people of Swindon enjoy a night out this festive season, a drone will often be keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Wiltshire Police is using the technology as part of Project Vigilant, an operation which focuses on tackling violence against women.

The drone will be flown over key areas, such as Swindon's Old Town, to look out for suspicious behaviour.

Det Insp Troy Smith said: "It's pretty much the same as a helicopter, but a lot smaller. We want to make our streets a hostile environment for sexual predators. Women have the right to enjoy their nights out untroubled by these individuals."

A drone pilot is able to watch what the drone is seeing through a camera and report suspicious behaviour to officers on the ground.

Det Insp Smith added: "Women have the right to feel safe when they are out and about in the night time economy, so we target the suspect rather than change the behaviour of potential victims."

This winter is the first time drones have been used to tackle violence against women in Wiltshire.

When BBC Radio Wiltshire joined police on the first night of Project Vigilant, it was a busy Saturday evening in the Old Town.

PC Marie Kitt pointed out areas which tend to be busiest with party-goers - such as nightclub Kioki - as well as quieter alleys.

Above the patrolling officers was a drone flown by PC Marc Jackson.

He said: "The drone gives me heat sources around the area, you can clearly see individuals moving around and the cars moving about on the road.

"If we spot something with the drone we try to keep observation, inform the ground units who will then try to move in and do a stop check on that individual and ask them for their account of reasons they are in the area."

Project Vigilant includes police working with organisations such as The Nelson Trust, which supports sex workers, and First Light, which works with those impacted by sexual violence.

Kate Long, an independent sexual violence advisor for the Swindon & Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre, said the drone project is "hugely important".

She added: "Swindon has got quite a high rate of sexual violence… it's prevalent everywhere at the moment.

"Sometimes victims don't want to talk to police, they might be worried or scared, so it really helps working together like this to help women in Swindon and Wiltshire."

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