Sniffing out spiking drugs as patrols targeting predatory behaviour continue

Specialist detection dogs capable of detecting drugs associated with spiking and sexual stupefaction joined officers on the latest deployment targeting predatory behaviour in the night-time economy.

Specialist detection dogs capable of detecting drugs associated with spiking and sexual stupefaction joined officers on the latest deployment targeting predatory behaviour in the night-time economy.

The operation in Weymouth formed part of Project Vigilant, Dorset Police’s proactive operation involving uniformed and non-uniformed officers working together to provide enhance patrols and spot the early signs of suspicious and harassing behaviour.

As part of the Force’s commitment to being here for the safety of women and girls, the project focuses on the night-time economy and other key times in town centre locations, informed by the latest information and intelligence.

The non-uniformed officers are training to spot signs of suspicious and harassing behaviour, with uniformed colleagues able to take an early intervention approach with a range of positive responses available depending on the severity of the behaviour, from words of advice to dispersal orders or arrests.

The initiative marks a shift in focus from the actions of victims to holding perpetrators accountable.

During the deployment in Weymouth uniformed officers had a number of positive interactions with members of the public, while the detection dogs led to four people being searched, one of whom was found in possession of cannabis.

The project has been running throughout the summer months and alongside this Dorset Police has also been running a survey for women to share their experiences around any areas where they feel unsafe, which can help inform future patrols. The survey can be found at Understanding Sexual Predatory Behaviour and Reporting in Dorset – Fill in form.

Detective Chief Inspector Jamie Halford, Dorset Police’s lead for Project Vigilant, said: “We want all of our communities to feel safe when enjoying an evening out and as a force we remain committed to being here for the safety of women and girls.

“These deployments enable us to provide a visible policing presence through uniformed officers, while non-uniformed officers can effectively spot the signs of predatory behaviour and work with their colleagues to take positive action.

“We worked with colleagues in Thames Valley Police to secure the specialist drugs dogs for the latest deployment in Weymouth, which enhanced our ability to detect suspicious behaviour and intervene at an early stage before any offending escalates.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: "Protecting women and girls from violence and abuse remains one of my highest priorities, and Project Vigilant plays an important role in identifying and disrupting predatory behaviour before offences occur. Everyone should be able to enjoy Dorset's night-time economy without fear of harassment or abuse.

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am committed to ensuring Dorset Police has the resources it needs to keep people safe. That's why I have funded the deployment of specially trained passive drugs dogs as part of these operations, helping officers detect drugs linked to spiking and other criminal activity while protecting the public. This proactive policing sends a clear message that anyone who targets women and girls can expect to be challenged, and that Dorset Police will take robust action.”