The Heywood Guards are precisely the sort of COPs operation I’m talking about. Here is some vital advice for them and others who decide to follow their excellent example:
Whenever residents of working-class areas start carrying out regular security patrols of their own streets, there’s usually some snobby left-wing journalist, council Jobsworth or Woke police chief who rushes to condemn the operation and suggest it could break the law.
As usual, they’re trying to keep you down by telling you lies. So here are the facts:
Community Observation Patrols (COPS) are completely LEGAL in Great Britain. There is a law which bans attempts to set up paramilitary forces, wear political uniforms and usurp the powers of the police – but COPs do none of those things and are therefore completely within the law.
The rich have them, several different ‘minority’ groups have them, and private companies and business have them. They all operate or pay for their own security teams, which operate in addition to the police in non-policing, civilian roles. The law allows them to do so – and it’s on your side too.
The rules you MUST follow are very simple:
Heywood Guard volunteers ready for community reassurance patrols in their Lancashire town
NO UNIFORMS
Although the ban on uniforms is only against their use in connection with politics, it is better not to tempt confusion and problems by wearing uniforms. They don’t help make grass-roots patrols any more effective in any case, and their expensive. Your simple yellow high-viz jacket, perhaps with Community Observation Patrol and the name of your area on the back, is all you need.
A uniform is defined in law as any two items or more. Even dark glasses or a tie count as one each. To avoid unfounded accusations that you are uniformed, make sure that members of your group wear slightly different designed and coloured footwear, trousers, pullovers, hats, etc. The only standard item of kit should be your yellow jackets or vests.
LEAVE POLICE WORK TO THE POLICE
You must never do anything which could be said to “usurp the powers of the police”.
You do not have, and must never claim or try to use, powers of arrest beyond those available to any member of the public. Unless you’re dealing with the perpetrator of a really serious crime, which was in the process of being committed, you do NOT have the right to make a “citizen’s arrest”.
You must NOT conduct investigations or present yourselves as a substitute police force in any way. Your role is observational, preventative, and supportive. It is your mere presence that may deter illegal or anti-social behaviour. You may observe and then report incidents, gather basic information, provide reassurance, and act as additional “eyes and ears” for the police. In law, this is no different in principle from neighbourhood watch schemes or event stewards.
DO NOT TRAIN OR ORGANISE FOR DISPLAYS OF FORCE OR VIOLENCE
Teaching your patrol members basic First Aid or to use walkie-talkies properly is fine, but NEVER do any physical training, and especially no martial arts practice. Your role must always be explicitly defensive and risk-avoidant. All your volunteers should be instructed, and reminded before every patrol, to avoid confrontation, to disengage, and to prioritise personal safety and early reporting. The law (section 1(2) of the Public Order Act) criminalises training for physical force or violence, not training which includes personal safety awareness or conflict avoidance. If you cross that line, you will probably end up in prison, and you’re no use to your community or family there.
AVOID ANY SUGGESTION OF ANY OBJECTIVE WHICH COULD BE CONSIDERED ‘POLITICAL’
COPs patrollers must leave their political opinions and personal views of different groups at home. You patrol without prejudice, fear or favour. Other law-abiding people have every bit as much right to be out there as you do. If they react badly to you, do everything you can to deescalate the situation. Walk away. Call the police. Keep your body cams rolling, but don’t get in your faces.
The law forbids paramilitary movements seeking to influence politics through intimidation or force. Community protection against crime, hate crime, or terrorism, conducted in cooperation with the state, is not the promotion of a political object by violence.
CO-OPERATE WITH THE POLICE
If they ask you to leave an area because they say your presence is causing friction, do so. If you come across any evidence of criminality, pass it on to them and keep a record of the fact you have done so. Every time. Emails are best, because they leave a clear trace. IF you contact them by phone, record what you tell them. If you pass it on in person, tell them politely that cam rolling.
DO NOT ALLOW YOUR VOLUNTEERS TO TALK WITH THE MEDIA
Most journalists are leftist, anti-white scumbags. Have as little to do with them as possible. Instruct your volunteers that they must refuse any contact with the media, and pass all approaches from journalists straight to you. If you speak with them, refuse to answer any questions about political issues. That includes grooming gangs and community relations. You must be like the police in this regard – you are not allowed to take your personal political views on patrol, or to air them while talking about your COPs business.
SOCIAL MEDIA RULES
Don’t let your volunteers post anything about their COPs work on social media. You or your designated social media poster are the ONLY people allowed to make such posts.
Volunteers – you included – must be extra careful with ALL posts you make on social media. Your whole team will be monitored by various enemies looking for a chance to bring you down. Ugly ‘racist’ names, angry comments after terror attacks or sexual assaults, anything which has ever landed anyone in trouble in woke police state Britain will be used against you. Don’t give them any opportunities to cause your problems, you’re no use to your community in a prison cell.
Above: Daytime patrol. The local community are extremely supportinve and very grateful for the efforts of the volunteers. It’s an example which needs to spread!
There’s a lot more to come. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
