Oswestry’s Street Rangers Program Enhances Sense of Safety, Businesses Report

Businesses indicate that a Street Rangers initiative has contributed to a heightened sense of security in a Shropshire town during its inaugural year of operation. The Oswestry undertaking, unveiled in October 2023, received financial backing from the town’s Business Improvement District (BID). This service involves teams conducting patrols on the busiest streets of the town, monitoring for instances of shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. Trudie Povey, who manages the greengrocers Covent Garden Fruit Market, stated that the scheme has rendered Oswestry “less of a target” for offenders. She further explained, “It makes us less of a target if people know there’s police and street rangers around, they’re less likely to come here – we’re not a soft touch.” Povey concluded, “You feel that [Oswestry] is a safe little community and with us all looking out that adds to that sense of security and safety.” The rangers themselves assert a reduction in crime within the town over the last year. Augustus, one of the rangers, commented that “just being around is such a deterrent that it’s quietened down.” He also noted, “In the ShopWatch group chat we had 40 messages on the first day – nowadays we have just a couple a week.” Fellow ranger Callum remarked, “[Shop owners] are just pleased to see us,” and characterized the initiative as a “very positive thing” for Oswestry. The rangers address issues in real-time by maintaining communication with shop owners via a group chat. Oswestry BID informed BBC Shropshire that the rangers have successfully detained individuals suspected of shoplifting until law enforcement officers arrive. Comparable Street Rangers programs have been implemented across the nation. The officers have received training in various fields, such as first aid, conflict resolution, and assisting individuals with dementia. Furthermore, the scheme secured funding from the Home Office in August, intended to facilitate the program’s expansion. These funds originated from an initiative introduced by the preceding government aimed at addressing anti-social behaviour. Adele Nightingale, the manager of Oswestry BID, stated, “[We are] very keen to continue this scheme.” She also expressed being “really pleased” with the project’s initial year, noting that future plans involve concentrating on violence against women and girls. Ms Nightingale further elaborated, “We’ve been talking to PubWatch members about the Ask for Angela scheme, the [rangers] are trained up on that, so there’s going to be a real emphasis on that going forward.” The Home Office indicated that determinations regarding future financial support for the anti-social behaviour hotspot response scheme are still pending.