Home > Is Safeguard Community Support official?
Is Safeguard Community Support official?
Safeguard Community Support Bournemouth presents itself as a community safety service operating in the Bournemouth area. One of the most important questions for local residents is whether the group is official, what authority it has, and who holds it accountable.
This page looks at the difference between official public services and self-appointed community safety groups, and sets out the key questions residents should ask before treating Safeguard Force / Safeguard Community Service as an official service.
What does “official” actually mean?
When a group presents itself in the language of public safety, residents may reasonably ask what “official” means. An official service would usually have a clear legal basis, a recognised public role, formal accountability, transparent governance, trained staff or volunteers, complaints procedures, and clear links to responsible public bodies.
Being visible in the community, using safety language, wearing branded clothing, or saying a group works with authorities does not automatically make that group an official public service.
Is Safeguard Force connected to police or council?
While Safeguard Community Support may say they collaborate with authorities, report incidents, and support public safety, it is important to highlight that neither BCP Council or Dorset Police authorise or endorse Safeguard Community Support.
They have no legal right to question or detain you.
Who does endorse Safeguard Force?
Support online does not go beyond far right circles that propagate ideas not dissimilar to Hitler's Brownshirts. They see Safeguard Force as a team that should round up migrants on the street and attack non-white poeple.
Other support has come from racist Reform UK councillors who also agree with the concept of rounding up immigrants for detainment, particularly after Zia Yusuf's vile announcement of migrant detention centres.
Based on the racist online trail of Safeguard Force founder, Gary Bartlett, he would like the same. There are significant concerns that a local Reform council could give Safeguard Force more power to act on this "officially".
What authority does Safeguard Force have?
If a group patrols public spaces, identifies “suspicious” people, encourages reporting, or presents itself as a visible deterrent, residents are entitled to ask what powers it has and what limits apply.
Can they stop people? Safeguard Community Service have no legal right to detain or question you.
Can they demand personal details? NO. Do not give them any information.
What should someone do if they feel harassed or wrongly targeted? Report it to the proper authorities, more information in the link below.
What public records should residents check?
The absence or presence of a record does not answer every question by itself, but public records can help separate official status from branding, claims or informal activity.
- Companies House records - SCS are registered as a private company not a non-profit organisation or charity.
- Charity Commission records - SCS are not a registered charity
- BCP Council references & Dorset Police Statements - SCS are not endorsed by either.
- DBS and volunteer safeguarding policies - SCS volunteers are supposedly trained, but lack the proper experience and depth of training that would allow them to be useful in a dangerous situation.
We're continually looking for new evidence. If you have public information, screenshots, statements or records relating to members of Safeguard Community Support, please get in touch.