Northumbria Police say a unique initiative used to keep women and vulnerable people safe on nights out has helped 41 people in Newcastle over one weekend.
Operation Cloak sees officers from the force's Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPT) patrol areas in Newcastle's city centre. They spot signs of vulnerability or anyone looking to commit offences.
Last weekend, the team recorded a total of 41 interventions in Newcastle. These saw stranded people helped to find a safe way home and lone females escorted to the Safe Haven van.
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Officers also made a number of arrests for drink-driving and drunk and disorderly behaviour. The initiative has recently been enhanced to provide more dedicated night patrols thanks to a successful bid for funding by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner (NPCC), Kim McGuinness.
Funding is being spent on a range of initiatives to help make women and vulnerable people feel safer at night. Inspector Karen Madge, Operation Cloak's lead, has praised the continued work of her officers.
She also encouraged anyone who finds themselves stranded or potentially vulnerable to speak with an officer. Inspector Madge said: "We know that Newcastle is a fantastic city with a thriving nightlife and people from all over come to the region to enjoy it.
"But sometimes that party spirit can turn sour when people get separated from their friends, find themselves lost or struggle to find a way home. Vulnerability can present itself in many forms in a busy city, and that’s where our officers come in.
"It can often take a trained eye to spot something that’s not quite right. The Neighbourhood Policing Teams are experts at reading situations and asking the right questions in circumstances which might appear completely normal or have the potential to escalate.
"A lot of the time we will identify no cause for concern and officers will be satisfied people are not at risk. But there will be situations we come across where real vulnerability is clear and those involved are more than happy for our intervention."
Operation Cloak was launched in 2019 and sees both uniformed and plain-clothed officers out on patrol. It has now been rolled out elsewhere in our region and other parts of the country.
Inspector Madge added: "While Operation Cloak is a police-led initiative, our partners in the local authority, licensees, door supervisors, hotel staff and taxi drivers, are all trained to work together to help ensure people can enjoy a night out in a safe and friendly environment. Please, if you see someone in a vulnerable situation, let someone know."
NPCC, Kim McGuinness, said: "Newcastle is a fantastic night out and it’s important that we do everything we can to ensure it’s a safe one too. Operation Cloak is crucial to this, and that is why my office secured funding to enhance this area of work throughout the Force.
"We want to be doing everything we can to look after people on a night out but keeping women and vulnerable people safe is about so much more than policing. That’s why we have so much happening across the region - from reporting apps to campaigns around changing male behaviours and highlighting the support for victims.
"There’s lots happening and plenty more to do - and I am committed to doing all I can."
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
