Met to step up women's safety patrols this summer

Police patrols at large-scale music events in the capital will be stepped up this summer to help improve safety of female concert goers, the Metropolitan Police says.

Officers will have an increased presence at 51 concerts in London as part of a crackdown on violence against women and girls (VAWG).

They will work with event organisers and security staff to spot "predatory men in crowds," intervene in any violent behaviour and respond "swiftly" to any incidents.

Beyoncé's recent concerts at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium were among the first events to see the increased police presence, with suspected offenders being removed for stalking and upskirting.

The Met said the number of planned stadium concerts in London this summer had doubled since last year, with three million expected to attend events at Wembley Stadium alone in the coming months.

More than 5,000 officer shifts will be dedicated to patrolling the events.

Officers will also be patrolling between venues and transport hubs and be available to speak to concert goers who may need help.

This initiative is part of a Met initiative, which uses data to track and target the most harmful offenders.

Deputy assistant commissioner Ben Russell, who leads the project 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.

"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."

For more on this, Deputy assistant commissioner Ben Russell, who leads the Met's V100 initiative will be speaking to Riz Lateef on BBC London's breakfast show at 07:20 BST on 20 June.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]