A new group set up to patrol Crowborough town centre insist they are not vigilantes after being accused of being so in a national newspaper.
Along with other national newspapers, the Daily Mail reported the creation of Crowborough Fast Reaction Patrol but also reported that one resident had branded the group ‘a bunch of vigilantes’ and had called for the police to step in.
The Mail reported the resident as saying: “A bunch of vigilantes with too much time on their hands is the last thing this town needs. It is already a powder keg situation and what we don’t need is for a self-appointed gang ready to put a flame to it. It’s a provocation and should be stopped by the police.”
The group has been set up in response to Home Office plans to house 540 asylum seekers at the army training camp.
It says it has the support of the local community and has described the vigilante claims as ‘one comment on social media’. It said it will not directly intervene in any incidents, only report them.
Nick Jones from the patrol group told the BBC: “We’re there to really just provide reassurance. We understand that just having a presence is enough to stop crime. People will see us in our red hats and hi-vis jackets and think `perhaps we’ll take our problems elsewhere’.”
When asked whether it was vigilantism, he added: “No definitely not. We are not hands-on We’re just there to provide reassurance for the people of Crowborough.”
Introducing themselves on social media, Crowborough Fast Reaction Patrol said they would be patrolling the town but were not going to be confrontational. They wrote: “Our aim is simple, be visible and a deterrent.
“Over the coming weeks and months, and who knows, maybe years, you will see us strolling around Crowborough, taking in the sights of the hot spots. We aim to be visible during the morning and afternoon school runs in term time, and as the evening sets in each day.
“We are not here to confront, we are here as local residents, concerned for the welfare of our town, and hopefully make a difference between unwanted activity and a peaceful place to continue living.”
The spokesperson said all patrol members must have a DBS check before starting work.
Organisers say the patrol team will concentrate their efforts on the morning and afternoon school runs and will be on the streets in the evening. They say if they see any behaviour they believe ‘warrants action’ they will have the means to report it and to contact the authorities.