Met Police boost visible presence at concerts

The Met Police have increased patrols at major music events events across the city this summer to help keep women and girls safe.

Officers will be a visible and reassuring presence at more than 51 large-scale concerts in the capital this summer.

Three million people due to attend Wembley stadium alone and 5,000 officer shifts will be dedicated to supporting the concerts - including public order officers, protective security and dedicated Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) patrols.

At a Beyoncé concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday 5 June, officers supported venue security in removing individuals for stalking and threatening behaviour, and arrested a man for upskirting who remains on police bail while enquiries continue.

Officers will also be patrolling between venues and major transport hubs and on hand to speak to concert goers. 

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to tackle VAWG in London, including the Met’s V100 project which uses data to track and target the most harmful offenders. 

Since its launch the programme has more than doubled the risk of arrest for the most harmful VAWG suspects compared to before the initiative existed.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell, who leads the Met’s V100 initiative and is also the lead officer for concerts this summer, 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.

“This summer we are working closer than ever with stadium management and major event organisers to help keep the public safe. 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.

“The Met’s V100 work, made possible by City Hall funding, is transforming the way they tackle violence against women and girls, ensuring perpetrators who pose the greatest risk are arrested and convicted – protecting victims from the worst offenders and making our streets safer. Putting specially trained officers at these busy summer concerts is another step in the right direction. The Mayor and I will continue to support the Met to do everything possible to keep women and girls safe as part of our ongoing public health approach to tackling VAWG in all its forms to build a safer London for all.”