Plain clothes police out to keep people safe as night-time economy reopens
Plain clothes police will be out and about in bars and clubs to keep people safe from sexual assault as the night-time economy reopens.
Humberside Police announced the measure as part of Operation Contract to protect vulnerable people.
The force has also launched a public engagement campaign called #GetConsent, which aims to highlight the importance of consent ahead of sexual activity.
A quarter of all reported rapes and sexual assaults in the force area are directly linked to the night-time economy, it said.
The plain clothes officers, along with uniformed colleagues, will be speaking to door staff and licensees to help them spot issues of concern, while also looking for people acting suspiciously.
Bars, clubs and restaurants are expected to return to operating capacity with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
‘SEX WITHOUT CONSENT IS RAPE’: Detective Chief Inspector Peter Thorp
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Thorp, who is leading the operation, said: “You might wonder why we are doing this campaign now.
“Before the pandemic we know that 25 per cent of rapes and sexual assaults that were reported to us were directly linked to the night-time economy, and half of those involved drugs and alcohol consumption.
“The summer months of July and August are the months in which we tend to see the highest number of reports of sexual assault and rape to our control centre.
“Operation Contract will see police officers, in both plain clothes and high visibility, out in the town and city centres in areas where there are bustling night-time economy hot spots.
“They’ll be speaking with door staff and licensees, building on existing working relationships, to help them spot the signs of a potential concern.
“They will also be looking out for anyone behaving suspiciously with another person who looks too drunk to take care of themselves.
“Perhaps someone trying to get someone out on their own, in a dark corner or secluded spot - or they may be leading them outside and into a taxi or unmarked car.”
He added: “We are not alone in wanting to make sure out towns and city are safe environments for everyone.
“We are working closely with a number of partner agencies who are involved in the night-time economy, including the local authority, universities and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, along with local support groups such as Street Angels.
“Together we want to make our towns as city safer places for everyone to enjoy.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “I fully support this campaign. The night-time economy will soon be busy again and it is everyone’s responsibility to take care of each other, especially when someone is vulnerable or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“I’m pleased to see Humberside Police stepping up patrols - the summer months are when these types of offences usually see an increase and the message is clear, no means no, and sex without consent is rape, there are no excuses.”
Mr Thorp said: “This campaign is all about raising awareness of the issue of consent in the hope that we can prevent, reduce and stop offenders from targeting vulnerable people.
“Just because you meet someone on a night out and you flirt, dance and kiss doesn’t mean that that person wants to take things any further or have sex.
“If they are drunk or have taken drugs means you may not be able to be confident that the person is fully happy with the situation, or indeed able to consent to what is happening.
“Consent is about respect and not either assuming the other person is OK with what is happening, or taking advantage of that person when they are vulnerable.
“Consent is paramount. Let’s be clear in our message - sex without consent is rape.”