We Are The Shield — A National Safeguarding Community Movement to protect vulnerable people.
“The people protecting the people.”
Why?
It is widely publicised and well documented, we are all aware and exposed to the awful atrocities our country is facing. Communities up and down the country from all walks of life and across all cultures are being fractured by the most inhumane acts, woman, children and vulnerable people are being targeted.
The Shield was formed as a voice for the people, for every single community across the country here in the United Kingdom, to do exactly that ,”unite” us all. To offer help, support and guidance for families and communities from all corners, far reaching into every county and the boroughs that reside there.
A voice for all communities, a place to find refuge, but more importantly escape, reactive responses and a solution when no-one else seems to care, when bureaucracy seemingly offers no solutions, a way out or assistance in bringing to justice those that choose to inflict harm on others regardless of the laws of this land.
Who?
Through careful discussion, expert advice, logical and methodical approaches to creating a carefully orchestrated taskforce The Shield collaborated with professionals, dedicated individuals whose fields of expertise from ex-military trained personnel, police, covert intelligence officers, safeguarding and IT specialists to put together designated teams deployed across the Uk.
These teams, Vanguard, Community Patrollers, Guardians and Digital Experts are able to legally, competently and carefully assist in helping communities to escape, recover and bring to justice those who are operating and organising the most heinous crimes. Only possible thanks to the internal operations and training, background checks and registrations through The Shield management team, offering the ability to deploy strict procedural operations that allow our vetted members to operate within their designated roles, but more importantly within the law and without jeopardising the victims or the ability to prosecute their perpetrators.
Our team work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, a line of communication and support for anyone anywhere across the United Kingdom.
Recognition post for all the Volunteers that make the Shield possible.
“The countless Volunteers make the shield what it is, from Street patrols, to admin to Logistics, it would not have become a reality, if people in the community did not stand up, Volunteer to be part of The Shield and put in the countless unpaid hours and dedication to strive to make it work, it would not be possible.
So a BIG thank you to all the Volunteers , the Shield Family that helps to keep the Shield growing and working.”
Please click the tabs below to understand more about each Team and what they do.
Vanguard
“the guard who goes before” — the front line of protection.
The word Vanguard comes from the Old French avant-garde, meaning “the guard who goes before” — the front line of protection.
That’s exactly what our Vanguard team is — the protectors who stand at the front.
The Vanguard operate from our Operations Command Unit, and they’re the ones who deal directly with reports that come in from the public.
This unit is run by an ex-police inspector and a team of highly decorated military surveillance and intelligence experts — men who have worked real operations, understand the law, and know how to plan and execute safely and professionally.
Their role is to investigate and deal with all reports of abuse, but it goes much deeper than that. They go out as a united team to tackle organised grooming gangs, criminal networks, and corrupt businesses that exploit or harm others.
Their message is clear: we see you, and this behaviour is not welcome in our communities.
The Vanguard carry out surveillance, intelligence gathering, and direct engagement — always working closely with law enforcement and handing over our findings properly and legally.
When necessary, they’ll also turn up in person to make sure offenders and enablers alike understand that we are watching, and that communities will no longer stay silent.
Most of the men on this team come from military backgrounds, so they know how to handle themselves, how to plan, and how to operate as one unit.
But make no mistake — everyone who stands for truth, justice, and protection is welcome here.
These are the men who show up.
The men who care.
The men who outmuscle fear, intimidation, and abuse — and remind the world that real protectors still exist.
Community Presence
“This behaviour is not okay — and we do care.”
Our Community Presence Teams are the visible heart of The Shield.
These teams are divided into 12 regions across the nation — North West, South East, and every area in between.
When someone joins The Shield, they first join their local region, becoming part of a family that looks after its own communities.
The Community Presence Teams are a visible presence on the streets — out in hotspots, at parks, around schools, and in nightlife areas where incidents have been reported or where the Vanguard have identified risks.
They’re not there to hunt or confront — they’re there to stand watch, deter danger, and help anyone who needs it.
If there’s been a report of attempted car snatching, harassment, or violence, our teams will be there — quietly, professionally, and ready to support.
They also turn up wherever the Vanguard or Trusted Guardians feel an extra sense of community presence is needed — sometimes just being seen is enough to make people think twice and help others feel safe.
Every member of The Shield’s Community Presence Teams is DBS enhanced checked and trained in de-escalation, first aid, and safeguarding.
Our uniforms are marked with unique member numbers on the back, so every volunteer can be identified and held accountable within our system.
We hold ourselves to the highest standards — with a clear Code of Conduct that every member signs and lives by.
Because being part of The Shield means representing not just a name, but a message:
“This behaviour is not okay — and we do care.”
For the public, this presence means peace of mind.
It means parents know their children are safer walking home.
It means women can go out without fear.
It means communities once silent are now standing up together — showing that people still care enough to protect each other.
This is what community looks like when it remembers its power.
This is The Shield in action.
Trusted Guardians
“Every child deserves someone they can talk to — someone who truly cares.”
The Trusted Guardians are the protectors every child should know exist.
They have all the same training as our Community Presence Teams — de-escalation, first aid, and community safety — but with added Safeguarding Level 2 certification.
These are the people we needed when we were children.
The ones who genuinely care, who listen, and who can be trusted.
Our aim is simple: to have trained parents from within the school community become that safe presence children can turn to. We’re working with schools so that our Trusted Guardians can sit in during lunchtimes, be a familiar face around the grounds, and where appropriate, deliver short, gentle lessons about who they are and how to ask for help.
As a parent myself, I understand the balance — we don’t want children living in fear or hearing details they shouldn’t. These lessons are handled delicately, always age-appropriate, and created to empower, not scare.
All lessons will be available to watch on YouTube, so parents can see exactly what is being shared and feel completely confident in what we teach.
This presence alone sends a message — not just to children, but to anyone who might think of causing them harm.
If there is abuse happening within a family or community, knowing a Trusted Guardian is in that child’s school acts as a powerful deterrent.
And if something is disclosed or discovered, it is immediately reported to our professional Safeguarding Team and Vanguard, who act swiftly and lawfully to protect the child.
There’s nowhere to hide for abusers — not in schools, not in communities, not anywhere.
But it’s not just about protection — it’s about rebuilding community spirit.
The Trusted Guardians also plan to organise children’s events, support youth programmes, and even reopen local youth clubs in the future.
These are parents and community members who have stepped forward to say:
“Every child deserves someone they can talk to — someone who truly cares.”
That’s what the Trusted Guardians are.
They’re the living reminder that kindness and protection still exist.
Safeguarding Team
A professional, independent unit that oversees every safeguarding matter across The Shield.
We also have our own dedicated Safeguarding Team — a professional, independent unit that oversees every safeguarding matter across The Shield.
Their job is to make sure that every report and concern raised through any of our teams — Vanguard, Community Presence, or Trusted Guardians — is handled correctly, sensitively, and in line with UK safeguarding law.
The team liaises directly with local authorities, social services, and law enforcement, ensuring information is shared properly and nothing ever gets ignored. They track the progress of every case to make sure action is actually being taken — not just logged and forgotten.
If we find that an authority isn’t taking a report seriously, our Safeguarding Team will challenge it and hold them accountable, supported by a group of volunteer solicitors who have dedicated their time to help protect children and families.
This team is the backbone of The Shield’s integrity.
They make sure everything we do is lawful, ethical, and in the best interests of those we protect.
They are the quiet guardians behind the guardians — the ones who make sure every child’s voice is heard and every concern is followed through.
How They Work Together
By now, you can see how each part of The Shield connects.
Every team has its place — and together, they form a complete system of protection.
The Vanguard, Community Presence, Trusted Guardians, and Safeguarding Team all work side by side, each playing a vital role in shining light across our communities.
Our operational teams meet regularly to review cases, share updates, and plan actions.
Everything is handled professionally and recorded the correct way, ensuring that every concern is followed up — whether that means a full report to the police or a safeguarding referral through our dedicated team.
This coordination is what makes The Shield strong — a full circle of protection built by the community, for the community.
And as we continue to grow, there’s scope for much more.
We’re already working toward creating safe houses and safe businesses, giving those at risk somewhere they can go — places built and supported by people who genuinely care.
Together, these teams don’t just protect — they restore hope.
They show children, families, and entire towns that someone is there, that they’re seen, and that this time, they’re not alone.
If you’d like to stand with us and be part of this movement, please see the How You Can Help page to learn how to get involved.
A bit of History about the shield and why it exists.
The Shield was started by Chris Hargreaves — a survivor of child abuse.
As a survivor, he took a long time to heal from his childhood journey, even going as far as living in the Amazon rainforest with shamans to understand himself and the world on a deeper level.
When The Shield began, there was so much alignment that he knew it was time. He understands that abuse isn’t just the act itself — it’s the scars it leaves on you for life. And Chris couldn’t sit back and do nothing when he had the knowledge and drive to help.
Chris has been that boy — the one hoping someone would come, someone who actually cared. Not a tick-box system, not an authority figure going through motions, but real care.
Without going too deep into his story here, that’s how The Shield was born.
Abusers are everywhere — and a system that continues to let children down.
So he sat down, reflected on his own experiences, and asked himself: what would have helped me back then?
The first thing he realised was how silent our communities had become. No one spoke up, no one said “this is wrong.” That silence gave abusers power. It made their behaviour seem socially acceptable.
The second thing — he wished there were people he could approach, people who genuinely cared, who would be a rock for him when he needed it most.
And the thirdly — he had always wished there was a group who would stand up, show up, and prove that there are people that do not tolerate this behaviour. That they are protectors by nature.
From that vision, The Shield’s four teams were born:
Vanguard — the ones who investigate, protect, and respond.
Community Presence — the heartbeat on the streets, building connection and awareness.
Trusted Guardians — the ones every child can turn to, the safe and caring faces in schools and communities.
Safeguarding – A professional, independent unit that oversees every safeguarding matter across The Shield.
Abuse exists in all areas of society — from organised gangs to the people behind closed doors.
That’s why The Shield was built the way it was — to shine light on all of it, and to bring the community back to what it should always have been: people protecting people.
Supporters Merch available from our Official supplier InkfuseMERCH.co.uk
We have a range of Supporters Merchandise from our Official partner InkfuseMERCH.
Please click the BUY NOW button below and you will be taken to our exclusive We Are The Shield merchandise page so you can order your Supporters Merchandise!
NEW merch will also be posted on all of our Social Channels.
