A man accused of upskirting at a Beyoncé concert has been arrested as people were kicked out of Tottenham Hotspur stadium for ‘stalking and threatening behaviour’.
The suspected upskirter was arrested during the first of six Cowboy Carter shows performed by the megastar at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 5. He is currently on police bail as enquiries continue.
Metropolitan Police also backed venue security in removing people for ‘stalking and threatening behaviour’ as part of a larger crackdown on violent offenders at concerts in a bit to protect women and girls at 51-large scale shows across London.
Five thousand officers shifts are set to be dedicated to supporting event organisers, public order officers, venue security staff, and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) patrols as three million music fans are set to attend Wembley this summer.
Cops will be working in conjunction with four major venues, Wembley, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Emirates Stadium and the London Stadium.
As part of their duties, they will identifying and intervening in any predatory or violent behaviour, and acting quickly to any violence against women and girls.
Officers will also be on hand to speak with concertgoers as they patrol major venues and transport hubs.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ben Russell, who leads the Met’s V100 initative, said: ‘Every woman and girl has the right to feel safe, whether walking home, using public transport, or enjoying a night out at a concert. Yet too many still don’t. The Met is determined to change that.
‘This summer we are working closer than ever with stadium management and major event organisers to help keep the public safe.
A suspected upskirter was arrested during Beyoncé concert on June 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Several people were removed from the venue (pictured) for ‘stalking and threatening behaviour’
‘Dedicated VAWG patrols are taking place at a number of concerts throughout the summer, with officers trained to spot predatory men in crowds and taken action to prevent violence before it happens.’
The Met’s initative is part of a broader strategy to tackle violence against women and girls in the capital, which includes their V100 project which uses data to track and target the most harmful offenders.
Since being launched the V100 strategy has more than doubled the risk of arrest for the most harmful VAWG suspects.
The level of risk is assessed using crime reports alongside a tool which measures the seriousness of harm to victims, known as the Cambridge Crime Harm Index.
Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kaya Comer-Schwartz, said: ‘Women and girls deserve to be safe and feel safe wherever they are in the capital and I welcome this action by the Met at summer concerts to prevent violent behaviour, support those in need and take swift action against perpetrators.
‘The Met’s V100 work, made possible by City Hall funding, is transforming the way they tackle violence against women and girls, ensuring perpetrators who pose the greatest risk are arrested and convicted – protecting victims from the worst offenders and making our streets safer.
‘Putting specially trained officers at these busy summer concerts is another step in the right direction.
The Metropolitan Police’s presence is part of a larger intitative to protect women and girls at venues across London (Pictured: Wembley Stadium)
‘The Mayor and I will continue to support the Met to do everything possible to keep women and girls safe as part of our ongoing public health approach to tackling VAWG in all its forms to build a safer London for all.’
A Wembley Stadium spokesperson said: ‘The Wembley experience is all about enjoying a moment that our guests will remember forever.
‘We are expecting around 3 million people to attend our concerts this summer – the majority of whom will be young women and girls.
‘All of them should be able to attend without any fear or worry and be able to remember that moment for all the right reasons.’
MailOnline has approached Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for comment.
