Police given training to spot predatory behaviour

It's hoped the scheme will help women feel safer on the streets and reduce offending

Police officers have been given extra training to spot the signs of predatory behaviour at night.

The scheme, called Operation Vigilant, is being trialled in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

Police officers and CCTV operators have been looking for signs of suspicious behaviour to try and stop it before it turns into a crime.

"We're looking for people loitering, people waiting at bus stops who don't get on after two or three buses," said PC Will Hayes.

"There are also 'knights in shining armour', people who claim they want to help vulnerable women go home, and then take advantage of them," he added.

The trial has been running since May, and patrols increased during Freshers' Week in September.

Cheltenham was chosen as it has the largest night time economy in Gloucestershire.

The police are also looking out for inappropriate behaviour using CCTV and plain clothes officers based on the street.

Initially, their aim is not to arrest people, but to intervene before it escalates.

CCTV operators are being trained to spot suspicious people loitering in Cheltenham

Det Supt Ian Fletcher from Gloucestershire Police said: "People often pretend they are trying to help, and it's not until later that the sexual assault occurs, and we're trying to stop that behaviour.

"Recently we saw a female who had been drunk, a man had approached her after she was sick, and we observed the man trying to kiss her.

"The officers intervened, and told him how inappropriate that was, and hopefully educated him."

Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, Chris Nelson, said: "We need to stop misogyny, it is so culturally embedded in society.

"Women deserve better. If a man gets away with inappropriate touching, often it can progress into more serious things," he added.