We Are The Shield — A National Safeguarding Community Movement to protect vulnerable people.
“The people protecting the people.”
Why We’re Here
The Shield was started by myself, Chris Hargreaves — a survivor of child abuse.
As a survivor, I took a long time to heal from my childhood journey, even going as far as living in the Amazon rainforest with shamans to understand myself and the world on a deeper level.
When I began The Shield, there was so much alignment that I knew it was time.
I understand that abuse isn’t just the act itself — it’s the scars it leaves on you for life. And I couldn’t sit back and do nothing when I had the knowledge and drive to help.
I’ve 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 my story here, that’s where The Shield was born.
Now I see abusers everywhere — and a system that continues to let children down.
So I sat down, reflected on my own experiences, and asked myself: what would have helped me back then?
The first thing I 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 — I wished there were people I could approach, people who genuinely cared, who would be a rock for me when I needed it most.
And the third — I always wished there was a group of men who would stand up, show up, and prove that real men 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.
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.
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.
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.
