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Project Vigilant: preventing sexual violence in the night-time economy through a perpetrator-focussed approach, 23 January 2025, online workshop
Free event for all serving investigators only. You must have a police or other law enforcement address to attend.
The Investigator is delighted to offer this free to attend workshop that showcases the innovative work of Project Vigilant in Thames Valley Police that prevents sexual violence in the night-time economy through a proactive mind-set in support of a perpetrator-focussed approach.
The project was launched in 2019 in response to concerns that 42 per cent of violence and serious sexual assaults in Oxford were linked to the Night-time Economy.
The force also acknowledged that predatory behaviours often went unchallenged in the night-time economy and that this needed to be addressed.
Project Vigilant involves deploying, plain-clothes and uniformed officers, in public places to identify and intercept potential offenders by analysing their behaviour.
The force enlisted the help of the NCA Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS) to advise on the MO offenders. They advised the force that two-thirds of stranger rapes start with seemingly benign interactions known as ‘behavioural try-outs’.
These interactions allow offenders to assess the vulnerability of potential victims and the presence of guardians, such as police or friends. Offenders use these moments to decide whether the rewards of their actions outweigh the risks involved.
It is within these ‘try outs’ whereby officers can identify specific behaviours that are indicative of risk of offending.
This approach led to a notable reduction in sexual assaults in the night-time economy and is now a model of good practice that has been adopted by numerous forces who seek to adopt a proactive approach to sexual violence in public spaces.
Our free to attend workshop will be led by DI Tina Wallace, who leads Project Vigilant. It will include:
Session One: An outline of the work of Project Vigilant including the proactive response, evaluation process, results and future work.
Session Two: A focus on the criminal behaviours and perpetrator- focussed approach and how this can inform sexual-violence investigations.
Session Three: Questions and discussion.
Timings
The day will run from 09.50h and will finish at 12.30h (approx.) GMT and will be hosted by The Investigator on Microsoft Teams. A certificate of attendance will be available on the day to all delegates.
Recording
The event will be recorded and offered to delegates who could not attend the live event or who would like to watch the event again with their colleagues.
BOOK your place now
Available to law enforcement and Government agencies only. To reserve your free place, please email booking@the-investigator.co.uk (work emails only)
An agenda and the Teams link will be sent to delegates before the event.
CPD for all 2025 free-to-attend online events for investigators and analysts
The Investigator is launching its ‘CPD for all’ programme for 2025.
The programme will offer on-going free CPD events for investigators and analysts that are aimed at supporting your work on the frontline as well as providing a forum for debate and networking.
It is part of our on-going commitment to supporting the work of operational investigators, analysts and police staff by ensuring that CPD opportunities are open to all, regardless of rank, role or budget.
It builds on our previous free events by providing a more comprehensive programme of CPD that will feature key guidance, best practice and updates.
Our free events will also promote the work of key national programmes and projects and connect investigators and analysts with these programmes.
Certificates of attendance are available, and each event will be held online via Teams.
All we do ask is for you to only sign up if you are confident that you can attend as it is time-consuming registering delegates who then don’t attend the events. If you can’t attend, could you provide a replacement or notify us in advance so we can offer the place to another delegate.
We will be adding new dates throughout the year, so make sure you sign up to receive our updates. Please email info@the-investigator.co.uk to ensure you don’t miss out on any of our free or paid-for events.
Current dates for 2025 – booking now open for each event
January
17: Digital Investigation: CCTV Forensics – industry experts will showcase latest technology and solutions that can enhance your investigations
23: Sexual offences: Project Vigilant – Showcasing the innovative work of a Thames Valley Police initiative to prevent sexual violence in the night-time economy through a perpetrator-focussed approach with Project lead DI Tina Wallace.
February
28: Investigating Missing Persons with Locate International: Showcasing the work of UK missing persons charity Locate International. The workshop will be led by CEO Det Chief Supt Mark Greenhalgh and will provide an insight into how the organisation can support your work into the investigation of missing persons.
March
14: Investigating Transnational Crime: Showcasing the work of the NPCC International Crime and Co-ordination Centre. The team with outline how the ICCC can support your work in the investigation of Transnational Crime
28: Digital Investigation Showcase: Leading industry experts showcase latest technology and talk about current projects
May
16: Digital Investigation Showcase: Leading industry experts showcase latest technology and talk about current projects
BOOK your place now
Available to law enforcement and Government agencies only. To reserve your free place, please email booking@the-investigator.co.uk (work emails only).