Project Firefly
Project Firefly aims to be that light in the dark; to give residents better protection from all forms of violence in the night time economy setting.
The operation aims to:
- Provide dedicated officers in night-time hotspots such as bars and clubs at weekends and other busy periods.
- Train our officers and use overt patrols to stop opportunities for would-be offenders to commit violent and sexual offences.
- Educate would-be male offenders and bystanders to misogynistic and abusive behaviours about the impact of their choices.
- Provide training to licensed premises and businesses to educate them on the signs to spot and support available
- Work with partners to increase support to women and girls in Bedfordshire’s night-time economy.
- Signpost ways for victims to report incidents and seek support.
Project Firefly’s approach is based on improving safety and confidence of women and girls in our county, while relentlessly pursuing those who commit the most serious crimes and engaging with and deterring those whose behaviour falls short of what is respectful and acceptable.
Spiking
It can be difficult to know if your drink has been spiked, but if you feel strange or unwell, then get help straight away.
Symptoms could include:
- confusion
- memory loss
- feeling sick or throwing up
- lowered inhibitions
- loss of balance
- unconsciousness
- problems with vision
If you become unwell or have concerns, please contact emergency services as soon as possible.
Rape and sexual assault
Any form of sexual contact requires mutual consent, and it can only be given if the person is free and has capacity to give their consent.
A person can change their mind at any point and withdraw consent for anything sexual and if someone carries on after being asked to stop, this is still rape or sexual assault.
If a person can't freely give consent then it's a crime, for example if you're asleep, too drunk to consent, or have taken drugs.
Misogyny and inappropriate comments
Many of the behaviours and attitudes which make women and girls feel unsafe may fall below the criminal threshold. However – patterns of behaviour need to change in order to make society a safer and more respectful place for all.
Recognising this behaviour and calling it out is key to stamping out misogynistic and abusive practices.
How can I report unwanted contact, sexual harassment, or violence?
You can report information and crimes to police by calling 101, or speak to us through our web chat service.
If you have information but you want to remain anonymous you can speak up by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
Where can I get help?
There is lots of support out there for women and girls in Bedfordshire.
We also support the StreetSafe tool, where anyone can anonymously tell us about public places where you have felt or feel unsafe.
This includes because of environmental issues, eg street lighting, abandoned buildings or vandalism and/or because of some behaviours, eg being followed or verbally abused.
Please note: 'StreetSafe' is not for reporting crime or incidents.
We are supporting the Hollie Guard app, a smartphone device that gives people a higher level of personal safety and security.