Latest news with #SafeguardForce
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Dorset Police 'do not endorse' Bournemouth volunteer patrol group
A police and crime commissioner (PCC) has said a group of volunteers patrolling Bournemouth at night is not endorsed by the Force describes itself as a voluntary community service set up to keep streets safe and "protect the most vulnerable".But Dorset PCC David Sidwick told the BBC: "I have had no contact with them. I have concerns about vetting, I have concerns about training, I have concerns about their administration."The group said it remained "committed to collaboration" with police and was working to resolve the issues. The decision not to endorse the group follows a multi-agency meeting on Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: "We have engaged with the group extensively and a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern. "The organisers have been unable to provide reassurance that this group has sufficient safeguards in place to ensure volunteers are adequately vetted, trained, and equipped to undertake high-visibility patrols in the community."He said there were "insufficient details in relation to the use of body-worn cameras, publishing of photographs of members of the public, administration and recording of any force used or first aid provided, and limited evidence of any training provided".He added: "We welcome the responsible use of volunteers, who wish to carry out public service and there are many ways in which this can be facilitated in a safe way, including becoming a Special Constable, joining the street pastor programme, or via established Watch schemes." Safeguard Force claimed it was asked to attend the meeting "at very short notice, with no agenda provided".It said the concerns raised were "primarily related to wording in documentation" and it was taking "immediate action" to resolve them."We remain committed to collaboration and are fully prepared for our next meeting as requested," it force said it had been carrying out its own high-visibility patrols in Bournemouth, with 289 foot patrols taking place in the past seven days, including the town centre, gardens and seafront, leading to arrests, dispersal notices, stop searches and anti-social behaviour incidents tackled. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Well done to you all in the Safeguard Force'
THE Safeguard Force organised by residents is a marvellous idea and good direct action by local people fed up with aggression, violence and murder in our local community. Well done to those residents. If I could find a contact number I would sign up. Local councillors speaking against this don't appear to be supporting or attempting to keep residents safe. By law we all can make a citizens arrest. This is not what the group aim to do. They want to show a presence. There are not enough police to do this. Well done to you all in the Safeguard Force. Lucy Lyons
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Police will not endorse activities of volunteer ‘force' launching patrols
Safeguard Force, whose volunteers will wear branded bibs, said it aims to create 'safer, more supportive communities by providing visible, compassionate and non-confrontational patrols' which were set to start on August 11. The move follows two high-profile murder cases in the town as well as the local police force having to introduce dispersal powers on the seafront after a disturbance involving a 'large group of people' on June 30 which left a teenage girl and two officers injured. Dorset Police said a multi-agency meeting was held with Safeguard Force on Friday and 'a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern'. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: 'Following a multi-agency meeting on Friday 15 August 2025, which involved Dorset Police, other emergency services, the local authority and representatives of Safeguard Force, we will not be endorsing their activities. 'We have engaged with the group extensively and a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern. The organisers have been unable to provide reassurance that this group has sufficient safeguards in place to ensure volunteers are adequately vetted, trained, and equipped to undertake high-visibility patrols in the community. 'Safeguard Force's policies provided to police contain insufficient details in relation to the use of body-worn cameras, publishing of photographs of members of the public, administration and recording of any force used or first aid provided and limited evidence of any training provided. 'We welcome the responsible use of volunteers, who wish to carry out public service and there are many ways in which this can be facilitated in a safe way, including becoming a Special Constable, joining the street pastor programme, or via established Watch schemes. 'All these initiatives have appropriate policies and processes in place, particularly around the vetting of individuals and safeguarding of vulnerable people. 'Dorset Police continues to carry out high-visibility patrols, with 289 foot patrols taking place in the past seven days throughout Bournemouth town centre, gardens and seafront. 'This resulted in arrests being made and dispersal notices being issued, stop searches for drugs or weapons, anti-social behaviour incidents attended, intelligence gathered and almost 1,200 conversations with members of the public and 131 businesses and local premises visited. 'We would encourage members of the public to speak to our officers and report incidents and crimes directly to us so we're able to effectively respond and investigate.' In March, Nasen Saadi was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 39 years at Winchester Crown Court for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles on Bournemouth beach on May 24 2024. And in January 2023, Afghan asylum seeker Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 29 years at Salisbury Crown Court for the murder of 21-year-old Thomas Roberts outside a Subway takeaway shop in Bournemouth in March 2022.
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- South Wales Guardian
Police will not endorse activities of volunteer ‘force' launching patrols
Safeguard Force, whose volunteers will wear branded bibs, said it aims to create 'safer, more supportive communities by providing visible, compassionate and non-confrontational patrols' which were set to start on August 11. The move follows two high-profile murder cases in the town as well as the local police force having to introduce dispersal powers on the seafront after a disturbance involving a 'large group of people' on June 30 which left a teenage girl and two officers injured. Dorset Police said a multi-agency meeting was held with Safeguard Force on Friday and 'a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern'. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: 'Following a multi-agency meeting on Friday 15 August 2025, which involved Dorset Police, other emergency services, the local authority and representatives of Safeguard Force, we will not be endorsing their activities. 'We have engaged with the group extensively and a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern. The organisers have been unable to provide reassurance that this group has sufficient safeguards in place to ensure volunteers are adequately vetted, trained, and equipped to undertake high-visibility patrols in the community. 'Safeguard Force's policies provided to police contain insufficient details in relation to the use of body-worn cameras, publishing of photographs of members of the public, administration and recording of any force used or first aid provided and limited evidence of any training provided. 'We welcome the responsible use of volunteers, who wish to carry out public service and there are many ways in which this can be facilitated in a safe way, including becoming a Special Constable, joining the street pastor programme, or via established Watch schemes. 'All these initiatives have appropriate policies and processes in place, particularly around the vetting of individuals and safeguarding of vulnerable people. 'Dorset Police continues to carry out high-visibility patrols, with 289 foot patrols taking place in the past seven days throughout Bournemouth town centre, gardens and seafront. 'This resulted in arrests being made and dispersal notices being issued, stop searches for drugs or weapons, anti-social behaviour incidents attended, intelligence gathered and almost 1,200 conversations with members of the public and 131 businesses and local premises visited. 'We would encourage members of the public to speak to our officers and report incidents and crimes directly to us so we're able to effectively respond and investigate.' In March, Nasen Saadi was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 39 years at Winchester Crown Court for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles on Bournemouth beach on May 24 2024. And in January 2023, Afghan asylum seeker Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 29 years at Salisbury Crown Court for the murder of 21-year-old Thomas Roberts outside a Subway takeaway shop in Bournemouth in March 2022.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Police will not endorse activities of volunteer ‘force' launching patrols
Safeguard Force, whose volunteers will wear branded bibs, said it aims to create 'safer, more supportive communities by providing visible, compassionate and non-confrontational patrols' which were set to start on August 11. The move follows two high-profile murder cases in the town as well as the local police force having to introduce dispersal powers on the seafront after a disturbance involving a 'large group of people' on June 30 which left a teenage girl and two officers injured. Dorset Police said a multi-agency meeting was held with Safeguard Force on Friday and 'a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern'. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: 'Following a multi-agency meeting on Friday 15 August 2025, which involved Dorset Police, other emergency services, the local authority and representatives of Safeguard Force, we will not be endorsing their activities. 'We have engaged with the group extensively and a review of their vetting processes has highlighted areas of significant concern. The organisers have been unable to provide reassurance that this group has sufficient safeguards in place to ensure volunteers are adequately vetted, trained, and equipped to undertake high-visibility patrols in the community. 'Safeguard Force's policies provided to police contain insufficient details in relation to the use of body-worn cameras, publishing of photographs of members of the public, administration and recording of any force used or first aid provided and limited evidence of any training provided. 'We welcome the responsible use of volunteers, who wish to carry out public service and there are many ways in which this can be facilitated in a safe way, including becoming a Special Constable, joining the street pastor programme, or via established Watch schemes. 'All these initiatives have appropriate policies and processes in place, particularly around the vetting of individuals and safeguarding of vulnerable people. 'Dorset Police continues to carry out high-visibility patrols, with 289 foot patrols taking place in the past seven days throughout Bournemouth town centre, gardens and seafront. 'This resulted in arrests being made and dispersal notices being issued, stop searches for drugs or weapons, anti-social behaviour incidents attended, intelligence gathered and almost 1,200 conversations with members of the public and 131 businesses and local premises visited. 'We would encourage members of the public to speak to our officers and report incidents and crimes directly to us so we're able to effectively respond and investigate.' In March, Nasen Saadi was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 39 years at Winchester Crown Court for the murder of Amie Gray and attempted murder of Leanne Miles on Bournemouth beach on May 24 2024. And in January 2023, Afghan asylum seeker Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai was jailed for life to serve a minimum of 29 years at Salisbury Crown Court for the murder of 21-year-old Thomas Roberts outside a Subway takeaway shop in Bournemouth in March 2022.
