Volunteers wanted for night patrols in Bournemouth

Volunteers are wanted to help people who become vulnerable or need help during an outing in Bournemouth.

Community Guardian volunteers will be patrolling alongside police and other community organizations on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Part of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Community Safety Partnership (BCP), volunteers will carry out tasks including providing water, foil blankets for warmth or assistance to get home.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Sidwick said the scheme would “strengthen the community”.

Patrols will take place around Lansdowne, Horseshoe Common and Bournemouth Square between 8pm and 12am.

The scheme will work in tandem with other BCP Community Safety projects such as the BCP Unity Promise, The Safe Places Scheme and Safe Bus.

It will also be alongside the work of Bournemouth Town Pastors, a dedicated team of volunteers offering help to anyone who needs it on Saturday evenings in September 2017.

Kieron Wilson, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, said the efforts of volunteers would be “very welcome”.

“Working with our partners, we want to enable people to contribute to their local community by providing reassurance and comfort to people who may be in difficulty or need help,” he said.

Dorset Police will co-ordinate recruitment and vet candidates while providing training and equipment.

Mr Sidwick, whose office co-funded the project, said volunteers would be “fully trained”.

He said: “Keeping people safe is a shared priority and this initiative is yet another example of how partners are working together to ensure people not only stay safe, but feel safe when they are out and enjoying what Bournemouth has to offer.”