Community Safety Guardian Initiative calls out for volunteers

The newly formed Community Safety Guardians Initiative is now up and running with regular patrols on St James Street between 10pm and 4am by SIA registered professionals.

ORGANISED by the Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, and based at The Rainbow Hub at 93 St James Street, the initiative aims to have trained volunteers patrolling the St James Street area known as the ‘Gay Village’ between 1opm and 4am every night very shortly.

Thanks to an emergency grant from The Brighton Rainbow Fund, patrols have already started before Easter to ensure both visitors and locals feel safe during one of the busiest bank holiday weekends of the year.

The initiative has been set up following a spate of recent late night violent attacks on gay men in St James Street when they leave LGBT+ venues.

The Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum are recruiting volunteers, all of whom will receive free SIA training.

Chris Gull, Chair of the Rainbow Fund, said: “It is clear to us that cuts in public services have left the police force underfunded, under resourced, and unable to provide presence at all times in all areas.

“To help prevent these attacks, and to keep our LGBT+ safe spaces safe, The Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum and The Rainbow Hub have created, The Community Safety Guardian Scheme funded with a grant from the Rainbow Fund.”

If you would like to help your community stay safe, can stay calm and in charge of any situation, please contact the SafetyForum via admin@lgbt-help.com, or call into The Rainbow Hub on 01273 675445 for more information.

For more information about the Brighton & Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum, click  here: