Northampton Guardians Seek Body Cameras Amid Volunteer Abuse Concerns

The Northampton Guardians, a charity dedicated to assisting individuals in returning home after nights out, is currently fundraising for body-worn cameras. This effort follows a reported increase in “assaults and aggression” experienced by its volunteers. The group has established a fundraising goal of £2,500, a sum that has been almost achieved through donations from the local community. The formation of the group occurred in 2016, subsequent to the murder of 20-year-old India Chipchase. A spokesperson for the organization stated on social media that these cameras are intended to “provide an extra layer of protection [for volunteers] and serve as a deterrent to potential offenders”. Since commencing operations in 2022, the Northampton Guardians have conducted weekend patrols within the town, operating with the backing of the Safer Nights Out (SNO) initiative. Gill Goodship, a trustee with the group, indicated that hostility directed at the organization has presented a continuous difficulty “in the last few months”. She noted that some members of the public have characterized their work as “a waste of money helping drunk people”. Ms Goodship, aged 62, further stated: “Recently, I’ve been grabbed around the neck, punched in the face, and elbowed in the face.” She continued, “We’re not security staff, we’re not there to be seen as the police, but unfortunately…we need body cams for our safety.” Since its establishment, the group has contributed over 5,000 volunteer hours and provided assistance to more than 1,000 individuals in Northampton.