London, UK – The Metropolitan Police Service (Met) has initiated a significant operation aimed at tackling sexual offences against women and girls attending major concert events across London throughout the summer months. The comprehensive security push is designed to enhance safety and build confidence among concert-goers in crowded venues.
Under the banner of a widespread operation, the Met is deploying increased resources and implementing advanced technology at more than 50 major concert events scheduled for the summer. Authorities are not only bolstering security within event perimeters but are also significantly increasing police patrols in the critical areas between venues and key transport hubs, particularly Tube stations, recognising these routes as potential points of vulnerability.
Enhancing Public Protection Teams
A core component of this intensified effort involves a substantial commitment of additional personnel. An extra 565 officers and staff have been specifically assigned to public protection roles across the force. This strategic reallocation is intended to directly strengthen the teams responsible for investigating sensitive and complex cases, including domestic abuse, rape, and sexual offences.
This move underscores the Met’s stated commitment to dedicating more resources to these vital investigative areas, aiming to improve response times, investigative thoroughness, and support for victims of these crimes.
Utilising Advanced Technology
In a notable step towards proactively identifying potential threats, the Met is utilising live facial recognition technology as part of the operation. This technology is being employed with the specific goal of identifying individuals who are currently wanted for offences or those who are subject to court orders designed to protect the public. Crucially, this includes identifying individuals with active sexual harm prevention orders (SHPOs), allowing officers to intervene promptly and prevent potential harm.
The use of this technology is being implemented in targeted areas as part of the overall security matrix for the large-scale events.
Operation Commences with Early Results
The operation officially commenced on June 5, 2025, coinciding with a high-profile Beyoncé concert held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This initial deployment yielded immediate results, highlighting the potential impact of the heightened security measures.
During the operation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium event, officers successfully removed an individual suspected of stalking and threatening behaviour. Separately, a man was arrested on suspicion of upskirting, a crime involving the unauthorised recording of images under a person’s clothing. The arrested man remains on police bail as investigations continue.
ITV News London, reporting on the initiative, accompanied Met Police patrols outside Wembley Stadium during a recent Dua Lipa concert, offering a glimpse into the operational tactics being employed on the ground.
Addressing Underreporting
The necessity for such a focused operation is underscored by concerning statistics regarding the reporting of abuse. According to new figures cited by ITV News London, a survey revealed that 68% of women who had experienced physical or verbal abuse did not report the incidents to the police.
This statistic points to a significant ‘dark figure’ of crime and suggests that many instances of abuse, including sexual offences, may go unreported. The Met’s proactive operation aims to address this by creating a more visible and responsive policing presence in environments where such incidents can occur, potentially encouraging reporting and deterring offenders.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell has commented on the focused nature of the operation, emphasising the Met’s determination to make public spaces, including concert venues, safer for everyone, particularly women and girls.
The summer concert season presents unique challenges due to large crowds and extended hours. By dedicating additional personnel, implementing technological tools, and increasing visible patrols, the Metropolitan Police are signalling a clear intent to robustly confront sexual offences and related behaviours, aiming to ensure that attendees can enjoy London’s vibrant cultural events without fear.
