Inquiry Praises Project Vigilant Amidst Concerns Over Police Policies on Sexual Offences
Published 2 December 2025
Highlights
- The Angiolini Inquiry praised Thames Valley Police's Project Vigilant for its effectiveness in preventing sexually motivated crimes.
- Over a quarter of police forces in England and Wales lack basic policies for investigating sexual offences, despite recommendations.
- The report highlights a "paralysis" in implementing changes promised after Sarah Everard's murder by Wayne Couzens in 2021.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated the government will consider the report's recommendations for improving safety.
- The inquiry calls for a focus on preventing offenders from committing crimes and better mapping of attack patterns.
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Rewritten Article
Title: Inquiry Praises Project Vigilant Amidst Concerns Over Police Policies on Sexual Offences
A recent report from the Angiolini Inquiry has commended Thames Valley Police's (TVP) Project Vigilant for its proactive approach in preventing sexually motivated crimes against women. The initiative, which targets men exhibiting predatory behavior in nightlife settings, has been recognized as a significant step forward in creating safer public spaces. Lady Elish Angiolini KC, chairwoman of the inquiry, highlighted Project Vigilant as a model for other forces, noting its expansion to approximately 20 other police departments.
Project Vigilant: A Model for Prevention
Established in 2019, Project Vigilant focuses on identifying and monitoring individuals who have previously shown predatory behavior towards women. The initiative has already led to notable successes, including the arrest and conviction of Amin Abedi Mofrad, an Iranian asylum seeker, for the rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in Oxford. Det Supt Jon Capps, head of rape and sexual offences at TVP, emphasized the project's role in prioritizing violence against women and girls, stating, "We want would-be perpetrators to know we have dedicated teams watching their actions."
Lack of Basic Policies in Many Forces
Despite the success of initiatives like Project Vigilant, the inquiry revealed that more than a quarter of police forces in England and Wales have yet to implement basic policies for investigating sexual offences. This shortfall persists four years after the tragic murder of Sarah Everard by former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens. The report criticized the slow progress in adopting recommended changes, such as banning individuals with sex offence convictions from joining the police.
Calls for Urgent Action and Government Response
The report's findings have prompted calls for urgent action to address the widespread issue of sexual crimes against women. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood assured that the government would carefully consider the inquiry's recommendations. Angiolini's report stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to prevent offenders from committing crimes and better understand the patterns of male offenders' behavior.
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Scenario Analysis
The Angiolini Inquiry's findings could lead to significant reforms in how police forces across England and Wales handle sexual offences. If the government acts on the recommendations, we may see a more standardized approach to investigating these crimes, potentially reducing the number of incidents and increasing public trust in law enforcement. However, the challenge remains in overcoming the "paralysis" identified in the report, which could hinder progress if not addressed. Experts suggest that a cultural shift within police forces, alongside policy changes, is crucial to ensuring long-term improvements in safety for women.
A recent report from the Angiolini Inquiry has commended Thames Valley Police's (TVP) Project Vigilant for its proactive approach in preventing sexually motivated crimes against women. The initiative, which targets men exhibiting predatory behavior in nightlife settings, has been recognized as a significant step forward in creating safer public spaces. Lady Elish Angiolini KC, chairwoman of the inquiry, highlighted Project Vigilant as a model for other forces, noting its expansion to approximately 20 other police departments.
Project Vigilant: A Model for Prevention
Established in 2019, Project Vigilant focuses on identifying and monitoring individuals who have previously shown predatory behavior towards women. The initiative has already led to notable successes, including the arrest and conviction of Amin Abedi Mofrad, an Iranian asylum seeker, for the rape and sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in Oxford. Det Supt Jon Capps, head of rape and sexual offences at TVP, emphasized the project's role in prioritizing violence against women and girls, stating, "We want would-be perpetrators to know we have dedicated teams watching their actions."
Lack of Basic Policies in Many Forces
Despite the success of initiatives like Project Vigilant, the inquiry revealed that more than a quarter of police forces in England and Wales have yet to implement basic policies for investigating sexual offences. This shortfall persists four years after the tragic murder of Sarah Everard by former Met Police officer Wayne Couzens. The report criticized the slow progress in adopting recommended changes, such as banning individuals with sex offence convictions from joining the police.
Calls for Urgent Action and Government Response
The report's findings have prompted calls for urgent action to address the widespread issue of sexual crimes against women. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood assured that the government would carefully consider the inquiry's recommendations. Angiolini's report stresses the need for a comprehensive approach to prevent offenders from committing crimes and better understand the patterns of male offenders' behavior.
What this might mean
The Angiolini Inquiry's findings could lead to significant reforms in how police forces across England and Wales handle sexual offences. If the government acts on the recommendations, we may see a more standardized approach to investigating these crimes, potentially reducing the number of incidents and increasing public trust in law enforcement. However, the challenge remains in overcoming the "paralysis" identified in the report, which could hinder progress if not addressed. Experts suggest that a cultural shift within police forces, alongside policy changes, is crucial to ensuring long-term improvements in safety for women.
