-Are you the police?

No. We are community volunteers who patrol to provide visibility, reassurance, and early reporting of safety concerns. We work alongside the police, not as a replacement.

 

-Do you have the legal right to stop people?

We have no greater powers than any other member of the public. We may engage in conversation and observe, but stopping or detaining someone is only done within the law under the 'citizen's arrest' provision of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, when absolutely necessary.  - 'Section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 (UK) permits the use of reasonable force in the prevention of crime, or in the lawful arrest of offenders or suspected offenders. This applies to citizens and police alike, but requires that the force used is proportionate to the circumstances and justified by the situation, as exceeding it can lead to civil or criminal charges.

 

-Can you arrest someone?

Only under a lawful citizen’s arrest in very specific circumstances, such as witnessing

someone committing an indictable offence, and only until police arrive. This is a last resort and must be done safely and lawfully.

 

-Do you carry weapons?

No. We do not carry weapons. We carry only personal protective equipment (high-visibility vests, stab vests, radios, and body cameras) for safety and identification.

 

-Who are you accountable to?

We operate under a safeguarding policy, code of conduct, and complaints procedure. All members are vetted and trained. We have oversight from our team leadership and cooperate fully with the police.

 

-What is your vetting process?

All volunteers undergo a formal application process, provide proof of identity, and are background checked. Certain roles require an Enhanced DBS check to ensure safeguarding compliance.

 

-Do you have insurance?

Yes. We have public liability insurance and volunteer cover to ensure both the public and our members are protected during activities.

 

-How can I make a complaint?

You can make a complaint via our published complaints procedure, available on our website or in printed form. All complaints are taken seriously and handled transparently.

 

-What will you do if you see a crime?

We will observe, record, and report to the police immediately. We prioritise de-escalation and safety for everyone involved.

 

-Are you trained in dealing with conflict?

Yes. All patrol members receive conflict management and safeguarding training, with

regular refreshers.

 

-How do you ensure fairness and avoid bias?

Our code of conduct strictly forbids discrimination. We treat everyone with respect,

regardless of race, religion, or background.

 

-Why are you doing this?

Our goal is to improve safety, build community trust, and act as extra eyes and ears for the police and local services.

 

Isn’t this the police’s job?

The police can’t be everywhere at once. We support them by being a visible deterrent, reporting issues quickly, and helping residents feel safer.

 

-Are you vigilantes?

No. Vigilantes take the law into their own hands. We operate within the law, focus on

prevention, and always hand matters over to the police.

 

-Are you filming me?

Our body cameras are used only during patrols for safety and transparency. If you are being recorded, we will tell you, and it will be stored securely in compliance with GDPR.

 

-What happens to the footage?

Footage is stored securely, accessed only when necessary, and deleted after a set retention period unless required for an investigation.

 

-How are your volunteers trained?

We provide mandatory induction training covering safeguarding, conflict management, communication skills, legal boundaries, and the use of body-worn cameras.

 

-Do you work with other agencies?

Yes. We cooperate with the police, local authorities, and other community safety

organisations to share information and ensure our work supports official 

 

-If you want to make a difference in your community, why not volunteer to become a special constable instead?

Becoming a Special Constable is a fantastic way to serve the public, and we fully respect those who choose that path. Special Constables are volunteer police officers, which means they have full police powers but also must work within police priorities, shift patterns, and operational decisions. That role often involves being deployed across an entire police area, not just the neighbourhood you live in.

 

Our community patrol is different. We work directly in our own streets, building relationships with residents, local businesses, and vulnerable individuals. We are not a substitute for the police — we focus on visible reassurance, prevention, and signposting to support services. Our time is 100% dedicated to our community’s priorities, as identified by the people who live here.

 

Both roles are valuable, but ours offers the chance to be consistently present in your local area, without the formal policing commitments, and to focus entirely on making your own community safer and stronger.