Question 1

Are you vigilantes?

Accepted Answer

No. We hold no powers, we look for none, and we don't go looking for trouble. Our members walk set routes in small groups, check on people who look like they're struggling, and report anything that needs following up. If a situation needs authority or force, it needs the police — not us.

Question 2

Are you replacing the police?

Accepted Answer

No, and we wouldn't want to. Merseyside Police do a job we're neither trained nor permitted to do. We're an extra pair of eyes and a friendly face on a quiet street. Anything serious goes straight to 999.

Question 3

Do you detain, search or restrain people?

Accepted Answer

Never. Our members are trained not to make physical contact, not to detain anyone, and not to intervene in a fight or an arrest. We keep our distance, keep the group together, and call it in.

Question 4

Are your members vetted and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every member completes our Patrol Academy training and signs a Volunteer Declaration covering conduct, safeguarding and their legal limits before their first shift. DBS checks are carried out on all members — a check isn't always completed before someone's first patrol, but it is always in progress and members are never left unsupervised. The patrol carries public liability insurance.

Question 5

Who is in charge on a shift?

Accepted Answer

Each patrol has a named Team Leader — an experienced member who briefs the group, carries the radio and makes the decisions on the night, including calling a patrol off if conditions aren't safe.

Question 6

Where and when do you patrol?

Accepted Answer

Across the city centre, parks and transport hubs, mostly in the evenings and mostly at weekends. Routes are set in advance at the briefing rather than made up on the night, and where we walk changes depending on where we're most useful.

Question 7

What actually happens on a shift?

Accepted Answer

The group meets, gets briefed, splits into radio-linked groups and walks the route. Most of the work is small and practical: making sure someone gets into the right taxi, waiting with a lone young person until their friends turn up, directions, a phone charge, first aid. At the end we debrief and log what we saw.

Question 8

What do you do if something serious happens?

Accepted Answer

We call 999, give the operator clear information, keep everyone at a safe distance and stay until help arrives. We don't get involved physically, and we don't try to resolve a violent situation ourselves.

Question 9

Do you film people?

Accepted Answer

We don't currently run body-worn cameras, though we plan to introduce them. In the meantime, members are asked not to film or photograph members of the public, and anything we post publicly is about the patrol, not the people we've helped. Incident notes are kept only as long as needed and are never shared beyond the services they're reported to.

Question 10

What do you carry?

Accepted Answer

A radio, a torch, a first-aid kit, phone chargers and a few welfare basics like water and hot drinks. Nothing defensive, nothing that could be mistaken for a weapon, and no uniform designed to look like police or security.

Question 11

I've seen you out — how do I know you're genuine?

Accepted Answer

Team Leaders are easily recognisable in their branded caps and hoodies, and any member will tell you who they are and why they're there if you ask. If you're unsure about anyone claiming to be with us, message us on social media or WhatsApp and we'll confirm whether we had a patrol out.

Question 12

Who can join?

Accepted Answer

Anyone over 18 who's reliable, level-headed and happy to be DBS checked. You don't need experience, a qualification or a background in anything in particular.

Question 13

How long does it take to join?

Accepted Answer

Usually around two weeks. You message us, we meet you face to face, then you're invited into the members portal to complete your details, start your DBS check and work through the Patrol Academy. Training and your declaration must be done before your first shift; a DBS check can still be in progress at that point.

Question 14

How much time does it take?

Accepted Answer

Two or more shifts a month is what we ask for, and we build the rota around your life rather than the other way round. You accept or decline patrols in the portal.

Question 15

Does it cost me anything?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. Radios and kit are provided and funded by donations, and Team Leaders have branded caps and hoodies so the group is easy to identify. You bring comfortable shoes.

Question 16

Can I support you without patrolling?

Accepted Answer

Yes — plenty of people do. Donations, donated kit from the wish list, fundraising, comms and social, and event support all keep the patrol running without anyone going out on patrol.

Question 17

How do I report a concern to you?

Accepted Answer

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 — always. For anything non-urgent you'd like us to be aware of on a future patrol, message us on Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp and we'll pass it to the Team Leaders.

Ask us the awkward ones.

What we are

On patrol

Joining and supporting us

In an emergency, call 999