Undercover police disrupt street fight and safeguard vulnerable women in Haverfordwest

A major undercover policing operation in Haverfordwest has led to multiple arrests, the disruption of a street fight, and the safeguarding of vulnerable women — as Dyfed-Powys Police expands its Project Vigilant scheme across West Wales.

The operation took place on Saturday 2 August and involved plain-clothed and uniformed officers working in tandem to identify and disrupt potentially predatory or violent behaviour in the town’s nightlife hotspots.

Street fight and drug arrest

Officers responded to a large-scale disorder on Portfield Avenue, where several men were reported fighting in the street. One man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, while others were dispersed by police teams.

Elsewhere, a driver was stopped for erratic behaviour and dealt with for driving without due care and attention. Another man was issued a Section 59 notice for antisocial driving on Quay Street — meaning his vehicle can be seized if he reoffends within 12 months.

The plain-clothed team also arrested a man for possession of a Class A drug after observing suspicious behaviour in the town centre.

Safeguarding vulnerable women

Officers engaged with door staff, street pastors and members of the public throughout the evening. Several potentially vulnerable women were identified and supported, including two 18-year-olds found in a secluded area with a group of men. Officers ensured their safety and provided safeguarding advice.

Detective Sergeant Vinny Barrett, Dyfed-Powys Police, said: “The aim of Vigilant is to ensure the safety of people primarily on a night out, and to prevent sexual or serious offences from taking place. Prevention is a hugely important part of policing, and by working in teams of officers who look out for and disrupt potential criminal behaviour we can really make a difference.”

Project Vigilant expands forcewide

Originally piloted in Carmarthenshire over Christmas, Project Vigilant is now being rolled out across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys. The initiative uses plain-clothed ‘spotters’ trained in behavioural observation to identify predatory behaviour, with uniformed officers stepping in to disrupt potential offences.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones, Dyfed-Powys Police, 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.”

The scheme is supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner under the Serious Violence Duty.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “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.”

Project Vigilant was first developed by Thames Valley Police and has since influenced national practice. Dyfed-Powys officers received specialist training in behavioural observation and risk management before deployment.

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Police to pilot new scheme to protect against sexual predators

Project Vigilant – a pilot being carried out by the force – will see plain-clothed officers with specialist training acting as spotters during busy evenings, identifying people who appear to present a risk to others by displaying sexually predatory behaviour.

These concerns will be reported to colleagues in uniform, who will step in to disrupt potentially criminal behaviour before it happens.

The scheme is being trialled over weekends in December with the aim of rolling it out across the force area in the new year.

Chief Inspector Dominic Jones said:

“This is an exciting new project for Dyfed-Powys Police, and one we’re looking forward to getting off the ground. We’re confident Project Vigilant will have a great impact in helping to reassure and protect women during the nighttime economy.

“Women should feel safe on a night out and should not feel the need to change their behaviour to stay so. 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.”

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has funded the pilot under the Serious Violence Duty. PCC Dafydd Llywelyn said:

“As Police and Crime Commissioner, I’m committed to ensuring the safety of women in our communities, particularly during busy night-time periods.

“Project Vigilant is an important step toward proactive and preventative policing, aiming to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour before any harm can occur.

“This initiative not only helps protect individuals but also reinforces our commitment to creating safer public spaces across Dyfed-Powys.

“I’m proud to support this pilot and look forward to its impact on our communities.”

[Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police]

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