Question 1

Are you vigilantes?

Accepted Answer

No. Patrol Members are local volunteers with no special powers. They work within clear boundaries, walk agreed routes in groups and do not investigate, confront or use force. If a situation needs authority, it needs the police or another professional service — not us.

Question 2

Are you replacing the police?

Accepted Answer

No. We are not police or security, and we do not replace either. We help local people become trained eyes, ears and friendly faces in their own community. Anything urgent goes to 999; other concerns are reported or referred to the appropriate service.

Question 3

Do you detain, search or restrain people?

Accepted Answer

Never. Volunteers are trained not to make physical contact, detain anyone or intervene in a fight or arrest. They prioritise safety, keep the group together, step back and call the professionals.

Question 4

Are your members vetted?

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. Nobody patrols alone or unsupervised, and we keep vetting and checks under review as the team grows.

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

We patrol across our city — the city centre, parks and public spaces, and wherever we're asked for help, mostly in the evenings and 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

Members bring what's useful for a shift — a charged phone, a torch if they have one, and anything the team has agreed to carry together. 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

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 WhatsApp and we'll confirm whether a supported local team was active.

Question 12

Can we start a Patrol team in our own area?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're already out patrolling across Liverpool, and we want to help more local people do it where they live. It's all our city. Bring together local people who care about the area, then message us. We'll help you get organised, understand the responsibilities, train volunteers, establish safe working practices and support the team as it develops.

Question 13

What does The Patrol provide to a local team?

Accepted Answer

We provide the experience, training, structure, guidance and ongoing support: member preparation, legal and safeguarding boundaries, team structure, shift briefings, reporting standards and help knowing when to step back, report a concern or call a professional service. Your community provides the people and the local knowledge — you know your streets best.

Question 14

Who can join?

Accepted Answer

Anyone over 18 who's reliable and level-headed. You do not need police, security or patrol experience. You need to care about where you live, respect the role's boundaries and want to make a positive difference as part of a team.

Question 15

How do I apply?

Accepted Answer

There are two ways to apply: through The Patrol app at the-patrol.com, or by sending us a WhatsApp message if you'd rather speak to us directly. Applying doesn't automatically make you a member — you'll meet the team and complete onboarding before being approved as Patrol Ready.

Question 16

How long does it take to join?

Accepted Answer

It varies depending on when we can meet and how quickly you complete the Patrol Academy. The Join page explains each stage from first message to first patrol.

Question 17

How much time does it take?

Accepted Answer

We usually ask for two or more shifts a month. You can accept or decline upcoming patrols in The Patrol App.

Question 18

Does it cost me anything?

Accepted Answer

No. There is no joining fee; you just need comfortable shoes and a charged phone.

Question 19

Can I help without joining a patrol?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We sometimes need help at community days, school and group talks, and local events.

Question 20

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 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