As part of measures to keep women safe, the government has unveiled plans to deploy undercover police in bars and clubs.
The measure was announced by Downing Street following a meeting of the Government’s Crime and Justice Taskforce chaired by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Named ‘Project Vigilant’, the initiative will see uniformed and plain clothes officers tasked with seeking out predatory and suspicious offenders in the night time economy.
In addition to involving increased police patrols around closing time, the project could also involve undercover officers attending areas around bars and clubs.
Downing Street also announced other measures to better protect women, such as a doubling of the Safer Streets fund – which provides neighbourhood measures such as better lighting and CCTV – to £45 million.
Speaking on the measures, Boris Johnson said: “The horrific case of Sarah Everard has unleashed a wave of feeling about women not feeling safe at night. We must do everything we can to ensure our streets are safe.
“Ultimately, we must drive out violence against women and girls and make every part of the criminal justice system work to better protect and defend them.”
The unveiling of Project Vigilant comes in the wake of the tragic passing of Sarah Everard who disappeared on March 3, which has sparked much conversation on women’s safety.
Serving Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens has been charged with kidnapping and murdering Ms Everard after her body was discovered in a woodland in Kent.
The 48-year-old is due to stand trial in October.