Crackdown to protect women and girls on nights out

A campaign to crack down on crime on nights out and tackle violence against women and girls has been launched by Lancashire Police.

The force has officially launched NightSafe, a campaign launched in Blackpool and dedicated to making the county "a safe and vibrant space for both residents and visitors" on a night out.

It runs alongside Project Vigilant, which involves the deployment of specially trained officers in plain clothes to identify concerning behaviour and stop it before it escalates.

Ch Insp Andy Ainsworth said it was important for people to "feel safe, they don't feel intimidated, and they can go about their business and go home having enjoyed their evenings".

He said the force would "ensure there is a high visibility of police officers" who would look for "predatory behaviour" such as people loitering around doorways or following people.

"It's all about prevention," he said.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, said NightSafe was "all about listening to what women and girls are saying".

"We've done a survey to ask them what they want from police," he said. "And from over 5,000 responses, 93% of women and girls said they change their behaviour on a daily basis to make sure they are safe."

"This is a response to that.

"Listening to what is important to them and putting that in place."

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