Greater Manchester Police are exploring civil action in connection with several reports of women being filmed without their consent on nights out in Manchester City Centre, particularly the Deansgate and Peter Street areas.
Their investigation began after several social media videos of this nature were brought to their attention, with our subsequent public appeal leading to multiple women coming forward to report the impact finding themselves in these videos, and the commentary on them, had on them.
Police concluded the criminal investigation due to limitations within the current legislation, however, are exploring other routes of taking action alongside Manchester City Council.
The women who came forward to us have been updated throughout, and police want to encourage anyone who experiences anything which makes them feel unsettled or unsafe on a night out to report this to them
All information they receive will help to build a picture of the issues, allocate our resources effectively and take action under our dedicated nighttime policing operation, Op Safer Streets.
Superintendent Nicola Williams for the City of Manchester said,
“We took the reports from women who came forward, as well as the public feeling towards this behaviour, really seriously. The arrest of an individual in November 2024 was the first in the country and was our commitment to acting on all the information we have received.
“Throughout our investigation, we explored all lines of enquiry thoroughly, including digital forensic examination of various devices. The investigation was also reviewed by an experienced, senior detective to ensure no stone was left unturned.
“Predatory behaviour is completely unacceptable, and tackling this has been a priority for our night time economy policing operation.
“Since the launch of our dedicated ‘Operation Safer Streets’ in 2023 in the Peter Street-Deansgate corridor, we have made 980 interventions with regards to predatory behaviour or suspicious individuals, had over 1000 interventions with vulnerable people to safeguard them, seen reductions of 50% in rape and increases of reporting of spiking and sexual offences.
“This operation has since been expanded to the wider city centre night life, with reductions of 68% for rape offences and 17% in other sexual offences achieved across the Village and Northern Quarter footprint.
“We are committed to ensuring nights out are safe for everyone and encourage anyone who is subjected to unwanted behaviour to report this to us. We will listen, you will be believed, and we will investigate all lines of enquiry.”
