Few things reassure people more than seeing friendly bobbies patrolling their streets. And few things divide people more than the sight of semi-uniformed volunteers doing much the same thing.
That’s the scenario now unfolding in towns in North Wales. Against a perceived background of increasing lawlessness – despite official figures showing violent crime falling overall – people say they feel less safe in their homes and on the streets. In a perceived policing vacuum, volunteer groups claim they are plugging the gaps.
On Sunday, April 19, five men in caps and branded tabards patrolled Rhyl High Street, meeting and greeting lunchtime shoppers. Aiming to win hearts and minds, incongruously one had a tiny Papillon dog in tow, the unlikeliest of guard dogs.
It followed a similar appearance in Llandudno last week by a pair of “Grant and Phil” volunteers, again accompanied by a Papillon. Judging by online sentiment, public reaction in the Conwy resort was a little less enthusiastic – but new volunteers were quick to step forward.
A Rhos on Sea man said: “I would love to join you guys to keep the area safe. (I’m) 6ft 4 and always available to walk the streets keeping the public safe.” A Bangor woman was the same. “How do we become a foot soldier?” she asked. “I would like to help out on walkabouts.”
Those making their presence felt in the two towns were members of The Shield, a UK-wide group set up 11 months ago to “safeguard the vulnerable and keep streets safe”. Motivated by police funding cuts, they aim to be a visible deterrent. The group’s mantra is “the people protecting the people”.
After a shaky start, the group has got organised, adopted a constitution and became a Community Interest Company. It aims to adopt charitable status before the year is out. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Two Shield volunteers keeping a watchful eye on Llandudno(Image: The Shield)
North Wales Police said it was aware of social media posts highlighting the group’s presence in Rhyl. The force said it is not working with The Shield or any other similar organisation.
A spokesperson added: “Volunteer groups of this nature can often create significant legal, safety and operational risks that can undermine justice rather than serve it.
“While often motivated by a desire to protect communities, many groups lack sufficient formal training, oversight, and professional evidence-gathering standards, leading to consequences that can endanger the public and compromise law enforcement efforts. In some situations, it can result in the mis-allocation of police resources, instead of focussing officers on investigating crime.”
All Shield volunteers must be DBS-checked for criminal records, and all must undergo “compliance training” to understand the limits of what they’re expected to do. Which isn’t much: they can’t intervene with street altercations and disputes, merely observe and report to the police. It’s a kind of organised “eyes and ears” with surveillance forms and reporting sheets.
This approach hasn’t prevented criticism. As the group’s online profile grows, the group finds itself countering accusations of vigilantism and far-right rabble rousing. They’ve been dubbed “fake police” and worse.
“We’re not trying to replace the police, or be them,” said group chairman James Barnes. “Just be an additional tool for the police. A lot of people have issues with the police, which is why they come to us. Keyboard warriors and trolls can be quick to abuse us but it’s fair to say we’re getting lots of positive feedback as well.”
Group volunteers chat to the public on Rhyl High Street(Image: The Shield)
The Shield is also getting plenty of requests for help from people disillusioned with official channels – more than 100 this year already. Some fall outside their remit, which focuses solely on safeguarding issues. Nor can the group get involved if police investigations are active or the matter has gone to court.
“We’ve been targeted quite a lot on social media,” said chief operating officer Matt Davies, from Swansea. “But that’s only because people don’t understand the group’s background and what we’re trying to achieve. We’re not trying to entrap people. Police forces have been quite impressed by our level of organisation.”
Welcomed with open arms
Of the UK’s 12 regions and nations, The Shield claims to now have a presence in 10, a meteoric expansion for a “taskforce” not yet a year old. It vows to be a “voice for all communities…. from all walks of life and across all cultures”.
Members pledge to “be there when it matters” when they believe official systems are failing.
It’s an approach that chimes with the disillusioned and disenfranchised. Online, a woman said: “Personally I don’t feel safe in Rhyl after being attacked and harassed for about 6 months outside my home. Of course the police caught neither of them but I expected no less.
“Don’t go out for a walk anymore and certainly wouldn’t go out at night. Brilliant, well done lads.”
North Wales Police says it relies on information from the public to decide where ‘hotspot’ patrols are needed(Image: David Powell/North Wales Live)
Women appear particularly enthusiastic about the concept. “Thank you for being in our town, it is amazing to see,” said a Rhyl mum. “If I was in danger I would much rather call you for help than the police.
“As sad as it is to see we need you around because the way the country has gone, it’s amazing that you’re all willing to do this. Keep up the good work.”
‘Neighbourhood Watch on steroids’
The Shield’s on-the-ground operations are overseen by Neil Simpson, who says he has a military and police background. As “Head of Vanguard”, he spearheads street activities that are often more prosaic than they sound: receiving information from the public and collating reports for the police. It’s like a Neighbourhood Watch on steroids.
The Shield has no influence when it comes to the police acting on the information it receives. North Wales Police said it will act on any information received – but it would prefer members of the public to report details directly to the force.
A spokesperson said: “The force will use such information to develop an intelligence picture that can be meaningfully implemented by local policing teams.
“We encourage all members of our local community to report any concerns they may have directly to us either via our live webchat or on 101. Our officers use these reports to inform where proactive ‘hotspot’ patrols are needed.
“The reporting of such information to any other source impedes our ability to police our community areas effectively.”
Shield members outside Rhyl United Church which runs the ASK Centre (Advice, Support, and Kindness) community hub(Image: The Shield)
If a situation merits it, the group says it will carry out “observation” work at complained-about properties and venues. A current case cited by the group is a young man allegedly stealing from his vulnerable grandfather to fund his drug habit.
Targeted street patrols are a “plan B” option – but Neil stressed: “We are strictly non-confrontational, we do not in any way get hands-on.”
When it comes to recruits, The Shield says it is non-political and all are welcome irrespective of gender, race or creed. Its own pictures suggest the majority are middle-aged white males with a smattering of women.
An ongoing recruitment drive is attracting attention. In recent days there have been calls for a Shield presence in places like Denbigh and Mold. Thanking the group, a St Asaph woman said the group’s work was “amazing”.
Online, another said: “Love this. We need this in Flint, especially at the weekends.” A third woman agreed: “Could use this in Prestatyn, I had to step in the other week to stop some ‘man’ beating on his girlfriend.”
Alarm bells
While some demographics have embraced The Shield, alarm bells have been ringing among left-leaning groups and watchdogs. Among them is North Staffordshire Campaign Against Racism and Fascism (NSCARF), which fears The Shield is a vigilante organisation masquerading as a community safety initiative.
In an online post, NSCARF said: “Social media posts and reports show The Shield operates with paramilitary style, including uniformed patrols, regimented command structures, training in surveillance, intelligence gathering and self-defence.
It aims to create a network of vigilantism, echoing the legacies of fascism, where mobs of thugs would dominate neighbourhoods through intimidation and violence.
“The Shield is doing this by presenting itself as a force for good whilst exploiting fears around exploitation and public safety.”
Group members have canine company as they head along Queen Street in Rhyl(Image: The Shield)
This is a narrative disputed by The Shield, which stresses all its volunteers are vetted, trained and insured. As they have no more powers than any other member of the public, the group said members will always defer to the authorities, observing and recording street incidents until police arrive.
Matt added: “We would hope our presence would act as a deterrent to prevent these incidents. We are also all trained in first aid and would help out with first aid until we could get an ambulance to the casualty.
“We’re just trying to help people. Hopefully perceptions will change as communities realise the good work we are doing.”
Others find the whole concept dispiriting, especially in places like Llandudno that prides itself as the “Queen of Welsh Resorts”. “In a big city or rough area I get it,” said one man. “But not sure Llandudno has fallen that far yet.”
Agreeing, another said: “Unbelievable that we need a group like this – says it all about the state of our nation.”