New PSNI scheme targets predatory behaviours

Ch Supt Gillian Kearney says the initiative is aimed at keeping people, especially women and girls, safe

A scheme identifying individuals who may be displaying predatory behaviours - such as harassment, loitering without reason and stalking - has been launched by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Project Vigilant is a new initiative being piloted in Londonderry.

Operations are being carried out "with the aim of proactively preventing violence and sexual offences against women and girls".

For the 12 months to 31July 2025, there were 2,423 rape and sexual assault offences reported to the PSNI, not linked to domestic abuse, of which 320 offences occurred between 22:00 and 06:00 GMT.

'Aimed at targeting perpetrator behaviours'

The PSNI said that on Halloween night (31 October), when the scheme was launched, plain clothed and uniformed officers had made an arrest for upskirting.

The police had also "intervened in six situations where predatory behaviours were being displayed towards vulnerable people, including towards a child from a children's home".

The new scheme is "aimed at targeting perpetrator behaviours, which are often displayed before a sexual offence takes place".

The PSNI added that uniformed officers and plain clothed officers will target public areas surrounding busy pubs and clubs in Derry and "throughout 'Op Season's Greetings' before then formalising the operation for use across all districts in 2026".

It has also introduced a new internal mapping tool, which will have input from reports of violence, abuse or intimidation of women and girls.

This will allow local officers to identify "problem" areas and target resources.

Project Vigilant is a new initiative being piloted in Londonderry.

Since launching its Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan in September 2022, the PSNI has made 5,042 arrests under new domestic abuse, stalking and non-fatal strangulation laws.

They said officers have carried out hundreds of targeted patrols and issued four Stalking Protection Orders.

Chief Supt Gillian Kearney, the PSNI's lead for Project Vigilant, said many women and girls "do not feel safe when out at night."

"We're pleased to launch this pilot across Northern Ireland as part of our commitment to tackle predatory behaviour," she said.

"Working with the hospitality sector, we'll have eyes and ears in nightlife spaces — some in plain clothes — to spot and intervene early with potential offenders."

Anyone affected by sexual assault can contact the PSNI online or by calling 101.

Marie Brown from Foyle Women's Aid says projects like this make women feel safer and more willing to approach officers

'A positive step'

Marie Brown from Foyle Women's Aid said it was "a positive step to protect women and girls from sexual assault", but that "there's still a lot to do".

"We have high rates of domestic abuse here," she said.

Ms Brown said the project shows that "we are taking this seriously", and called for more joint work with the PSNI and other agencies.

She also highlighted the role that men can play in helping to tackle these issues.

"There are many non-abusive men who support our work," Ms Brown said.

"It's important that good males speak up and act as positive role models."

"If initiatives like this make women feel safer and more willing to approach officers, that's a success," she said.

Mother Danelle Dalton also welcomed the PSNI initiative and said if it kept young people safe it was a good idea.

She said that parents constantly worried about their children going out in the city.

"You [would] be nervous even letting them go to the town and wondering how they are going to get home," she said.

"So I think it's a good idea."

Danielle Dalton, accompanied by her daughter Gracie, has welcomed the initiative

Henrietta Bongu said she thought the police project was "really good" and that women and young girls would feel more reassured and less reluctant to go out at night.

She believes this move by the PSNI will enable her and friends to feel safer.

"It's okay for the most part [on a night out in Derry], but sometimes you would get hassle from suspicious people, but I think for the most part it is okay.

"It does make you feel uncomfortable and not want to go out."

Henrietta Bongu believes this move by the PSNI will enable her and friends to feel safe