Hertfordshire Constabulary launch annual seasonal safety campaign

With party season fast approaching, Hertfordshire Constabulary is launching its annual seasonal safety campaign.

Op Advisory is all about keeping people safe while out and about as more people head to Christmas parties and enjoy a festive night out on the town.

We want to empower people to challenge unacceptable behaviour and will be sharing safety advice, as well reminding people about consent and highlighting resources such as Hollie Guard, the free personal safety app.

Detective Chief Inspector Michael Macbeth, from the constabulary’s Safeguarding Command, said: “Hertfordshire is a great and safe place for people to come to celebrate, with a vibrant nightlife, and we want people to be able to enjoy themselves safely and have a good time. Sadly, we know there are a minority of people out there who may see the festive season as an excuse to forget normal standards of behaviour, but this is simply not acceptable.

“It goes without saying that preventing sexual assault is something that we focus on all year round, but as it gets busier over the coming weeks, with people making the most of the festive season, it’s really important to remind people that their big night out should be memorable for all the right reasons.”

A raft of prevention work is in place; Crime Prevention Officers have anti-spiking kits, which contain drink covers and plastic bottle tops, for handing out at community engagement events in the lead up to the Christmas and the New Year.

Licensing officers from our Community Safety Unit have worked with local premises to educate them on Ask For Angela – a national scheme that helps anyone who is feeling vulnerable on a night out to get the support they need by asking for Angela at the bar. Staff can then assist individuals to leave the venue discreetly, getting home or to a place of safety.

Having worked to understand areas of demand so that resources can be allocated accordingly over the festive season, Project Vigilant deployments will run across the county, using specialist behavioural-trained plain clothed officers to conduct covert patrols outside of bars, pubs and clubs, alerting high-visibility colleagues if males are exhibiting predatory behaviour.

DCI Macbeth added: “As always, our message remains clear – sex without consent is rape. No matter what the conversations have been prior to meeting, anyone, male or female, of any sexual orientation, has the right to say no to sexual contact at any time and this should be respected.

“It is also important to remember that sex with someone who is incapacitated as a result of drink or drugs is rape. No one is responsible for sexual offences committed against them and offenders could find themselves facing a prison sentence and being placed on the sex offenders’ register. So please, stop and think about the lasting consequences the actions of one night could have on the rest of your life.”

The constabulary takes all reports of sexual assault seriously, no matter what the circumstances or how long ago the offence occurred. The Sexual Offences Investigation Team (SOIT) is made up of specialist officers who will provide support and advice to victims throughout an investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.