Dyfed-Powys Police rolling out safety scheme across force
Dyfed-Powys Police will now use disruption teams as part of Project Vigilant, which aims to prevent sexual and violent offences before they happen.
Project Vigilant was first piloted in Carmarthenshire over the Christmas period and will now be expanded force-wide.
Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said: "This was a new project for Dyfed-Powys Police that we trialled over the busy Christmas period.
"It is an innovative approach to keeping vulnerable people safe while they're out in the evening that has been successful in other forces, and I am pleased to confirm that we will soon be adopting the project across all four divisions."
The scheme uses plain-clothed officers trained to spot predatory behaviour, supported by uniformed colleagues who intervene to disrupt potential offences before they occur.
Officers are deployed based on intelligence to ensure they are in the right place at the right time.
The teams use behavioural observation training to identify individuals displaying predatory behaviour, allowing uniformed officers to step in when necessary.
The pilot was funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner under the Serious Violence Duty.
On one night during the pilot, plain-clothed officers helped safeguard a vulnerable woman who had become separated from her friends.
Uniformed officers were alerted and ensured she got home safely.
Chief Inspector Jones said: "Everyone should feel safe on a night out, and nobody should feel the need to change their behaviour to avoid becoming a victim.
"By looking out for potential predators, we will ultimately be changing the behaviours of those who could cause harm and making our communities safer for all."
Officers involved in the project have praised the training and approach.
One officer said: "The input about what behaviours to look out for while on foot patrol is really beneficial to all, protecting members of the public by asking these individuals what they are doing, and being professionally curious.
"That one interaction could stop a sexual assault as the suspect will know they're being watched."
PCC Dafydd Llywelyn welcomed the wider rollout.
Mr Llywelyn said: "I'm pleased to see Project Vigilant now being rolled out across all four divisions following a successful pilot over the Christmas period.
"This is a proactive and intelligence-led approach that puts officers in the right place at the right time to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour before harm is caused."
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