Undercover police to patrol bars as government vows to protect women in wake of Sarah Everard death

Boris Johnson has said the government is committed to doing “everything we can” to make the streets safe for women in the wake of the death of Sarah Everard.

The move will include undercover police officers patrolling pubs and bars as part of a pilot scheme, Downing Street said.

Following a meeting of the government’s crime and justice taskforce chaired by the prime minister, a series of “immediate steps” to improve security was announced.

No 10 said versions of a police operation called “Project Vigilant” would be extended around the country once hospitality venues re-emerged from coronavirus restrictions.

“This is an internationally award winning-approach taken by Thames Valley Police where both uniformed and plain clothes officers identify predatory and suspicious offenders in the night time economy,” a statement said.