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I wanted to provide an update regarding Violence against women and girls, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. OPERATION ESTEE
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG)
September 2026 Newsletter
The Metropolitan Police continues to strengthen its response to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) through Operation Estee and Operation Amicus, supported by targeted enforcement, safeguarding work, and partnership initiatives across Enfield.
Operation Estee
Launched in April 2026, Operation Estee focuses on reducing violence against women and girls through intelligence-led patrols, crime prevention activity, and community engagement. Since June 2026, officers have used crime data and community concerns to identify and target areas where women and girls are most at risk.
As a result, Enfield recorded 60 fewer offences against women and girls in August 2026.
Safer Transport Hubs
High-visibility and plain-clothes patrols have been conducted in:
Edmonton Green
Enfield Town
Brimsdown
Ponders End
Silver Street
Four of these five locations have seen a 100% reduction in reported incidents, with offenders arrested for offences against women and girls.
Safer Parks Initiative
Targeted activity has also taken place in:
Pymmes Park
Ponders End Recreation Ground
Jubilee Park
Grovelands Park
Working alongside Enfield Council, improvements including enhanced CCTV, additional lighting, and environmental changes are helping to improve safety and support faster police responses.
Operation Amicus
Established in December 2025, Operation Amicus supports vulnerable women through safeguarding, outreach, and partnership working. The dedicated team works directly with women at risk, helping them access support services and reducing the risk of exploitation and offending.
Following targeted safeguarding activity, a previously identified sexual offences hotspot was no longer identified as a hotspot by January 2026.
New Legislation
Section 4B Public Order Act 1986
The Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 introduced a new offence relating to intentional harassment in public places. Examples include:
Sexually degrading comments
Wolf-whistling
Following and repeatedly shouting at someone
Gender-based abuse
Threatening comments towards women
Intimidating or misogynistic behaviour by groups
The maximum sentence is now up to 2 years' imprisonment.
Recent Good News
Recent enforcement activity has resulted in:
A man charged after approaching schoolgirls and engaging them in sexualised conversation at a bus stop.
A suspect arrested after following a woman from a bus and exposing himself.
A man arrested in Pymmes Park for possession of an offensive weapon.
How You Can Help
Reporting incidents helps police identify hotspots, safeguard victims, and target offenders.
Call 999 if an incident is happening now.
Call 101 to report incidents that have already occurred.
Stay informed through Met Engage: www.metengage.co.uk
Together, we can help make Enfield safer for women and girls.
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