Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police Service has stepped up patrols at major music events across the capital over the summer – helping to keep women and girls safe as the number of stadium concerts in London more than doubles this year.
As part of the ongoing crackdown on violent offenders, officers will be a visible and reassuring presence at more than 51 large-scale concerts throughout London.
With more than three million people due to attend Wembley stadium alone, officers are working with event organisers who have primary responsibility for safety and security at concerts. In total over 5,000 officer shifts will be dedicated to supporting the concerts, including public order officers, protective security and dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) patrols.
The operation began on Thursday, 5 June at the Beyoncé concert in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – the first of 19 concerts at the venue this summer – and has already had results. Officers supported venue security in removing individuals for stalking and threatening behaviour, and arrested a man for upskirting who remains on police bail while enquiries continue.
Their role working with event organisers and event security will include engaging with attendees, identifying and intervening in any predatory or violent behaviour, and responding swiftly to any incidents of VAWG. Officers will also be patrolling between venues and major transport hubs and on hand to speak to concert goers.
This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to tackle VAWG in London, including the Met’s V100 project which uses data to track and target the most harmful offenders. Since its launch the programme has more than doubled the risk of arrest for the most harmful VAWG suspects compared to before the initiative existed with around three quarters of those on the V100 stack are accused of rape and multiple sexual assaults, as well as murder.
The level of risk is assessed using crime reports alongside a tool which measures the seriousness of harm to victims, known as the Cambridge Crime Harm Index.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell, who leads the Met’s V100 initiative and is also the lead officer for concerts this summer, said:
“Every woman and girl has the right to feel safe, whether walking home, using public transport, or enjoying a night out at a concert. Yet too many still don’t. The Met is determined to change that.
“This summer we are working closer than ever with stadium management and major event organisers to help keep the public safe. Dedicated VAWG patrols are taking place at a number of concerts throughout the summer, with officers trained to spot predatory men in crowds and taken action to prevent violence before it happens.”
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said:
“Women and girls deserve to be safe and feel safe wherever they are in the capital and I welcome this action by the Met at summer concerts to prevent violent behaviour, support those in need and take swift action against perpetrators.
“The Met’s V100 work, made possible by City Hall funding, is transforming the way they tackle violence against women and girls, ensuring perpetrators who pose the greatest risk are arrested and convicted – protecting victims from the worst offenders and making our streets safer. Putting specially trained officers at these busy summer concerts is another step in the right direction. The Mayor and I will continue to support the Met to do everything possible to keep women and girls safe as part of our ongoing public health approach to tackling VAWG in all its forms to build a safer London for all.”
A Wembley Stadium spokesperson said:
“The Wembley experience is all about enjoying a moment that our guests will remember forever.
“We are expecting around 3 million people to attend our concerts this summer – the majority of whom will be young women and girls.
“All of them should be able to attend without any fear or worry and be able to remember that moment for all the right reasons.”
The Met is also investing in new tools and approaches, including:
- Rapid Video Response pilots to improve victim engagement;
- The Stalking Threat Assessment Centre to better assess and manage risks;
- Enhanced training for over 20,000 frontline officers to strengthen the initial police response to domestic abuse, stalking, and sexual violence.
- An additional 565 officers and staff have been drafted into public protection roles across the force aimed at enhancing our domestic abuse, rape and sexual offence investigation team to enable a better service for victims.
- The use of Live Facial Recognition to locate those wanted for offences and those subject to court orders, including sexual harm prevention orders.
This summer’s visible patrols are just one part of a wider, long-term commitment to rebuild trust, prevent harm, and protect the women and girls of London.
Members of the public are encouraged to speak to officers at the concerts and raise any concerns. Always call 999 in an emergency.