Undercover officers target predatory behaviour in Richmond town centre

Plain-clothed police officers have been deployed in Richmond as part of a crackdown on predatory behaviour.

The operation, led by the Richmondshire Neighbourhood Policing Team at North Yorkshire Police, mirrors the national “Project Vigilant” initiative, which was first launched by Thames Valley Police in 2019.

Officers carried out patrols in Richmond Market Place on Saturday night, targeting individuals suspected of preying on vulnerable people in busy late-night settings.

Under the initiative, specially trained plain-clothed officers patrol areas discreetly, watching for behaviour and warning signs linked to criminal intent. Any suspicious individuals identified by the covert officers are then flagged to uniformed colleagues, who step in to engage with them and, where necessary, take enforcement action.

Police say the tactic has already proved successful in other parts of the force area and will now continue in Richmondshire throughout the summer months.

The operation forms part of wider partnership working involving the Royal Military Police and North Yorkshire Council.

Officers say the aim is not only to deter offenders, but also to reassure residents and visitors enjoying Richmond’s bars, pubs and nightlife.

A spokesperson for Richmondshire Neighbourhood Policing Team said the deployments are focused on identifying people “in the area with a criminal intention” and intervening before offences can take place.

The spokesperson added that members of the public also have a role to play in helping to keep the town safe.

“You can also help to keep our streets safe by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right to our officers,” they said.

Project Vigilant operations have been rolled out across police forces nationally in recent years, particularly in areas with busy evening economies, following growing concern about violence against women and girls and other offences linked to the night-time economy.