Street Pastors in the Night-Time Economy: harmless do-gooders or a manifestation of a New Right agenda?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper, which follows an earlier paper published in this journal, is to explore the shape and nature of plural policing through the lens of New Right ideology. It aims to reinforce the understanding that policy is driven by both neoliberalism and neoconservatism, not simply the former. In policy terms, it uses the vehicle of a faith-based initiative – the Street Pastors – to consider how the strategic line of plural policing may be shifting. Design/methodology/approach The research that informs this paper spans 2012 to the present day incorporating a multi-method evaluation, an ongoing observation with informal interviews, and two e-mail surveys directed at university students in Plymouth and Cardiff. In addition, the authors carried out a critical analysis of a research report produced by van Steden and a documentary analysis of national newspaper reports of Street Pastor activities. Findings In a previous paper, the authors provided evidence to support the contention of Jones and Lister (2015) that there has been a shift in the landscape of plural policing. The Street Pastors initiative is a movement from “policing by the state” towards “policing from below”. The authors suggest here that there may be evidence to speculate that another shift might occur from “policing from below” to “policing through the state”. Ultimately, the authors contend, such shifts reflect and serve the dominance of New Right ideology in social and public policy. Research limitations/implications The research limitations of this paper are twofold. First, the surveys had very small sample sizes and so the results should be treated with caution. The authors have underlined this in detail where necessary. Second, it is informed by a series of related though discrete research activities. However, the authors regard this as a strength also, as the findings are consistent across the range. The implications relate to the way in which policy designed to encourage partnership might lead to off-loading public responsibilities on the one hand, while allowing co-option on the other hand. Social implications The practical implications are indivisible from the social implications in the authors’ view. The neoliberal and neoconservative dimensions of the current dominant ideology are using local initiatives to save public money and reify disciplinary features of social and public policy. Originality/value The originality of this research relates to the way it was conducted, drawing together the products of discrete but related activities. It adds to the growing research landscape involving the Street Pastors, an important faith-based, publicly backed initiative. But more importantly, it underlines how the two dimensions of New Right ideology come together in practice. The example of the Street Pastors indicates, through the lens of plural policing, how voluntary and local initiatives are being used to refocus the priorities of social and public policy.

Volunteer street patrols: responsibilised and motivated volunteering in community safety

“…This remains an area of sensitivity. Although this paper argues for the positive contribution of volunteer street patrols towards the community safety and policing landscape to be acknowledged, questions have emerged from this research concerning the role of volunteers in the place of the state (Johns et al, 2018). For example, through the pluralisation of the policing, vigilantism and blurred boundaries come into play.…”

“…Often cited as vigilantes, members of this group were noted for taking the law into their own hands, resulting in strained relationships with the state, local government and law enforcement (Bullock, 2014;Kenney, 1986 (Bullock, 2014;Johns et al, 2009;Swann, et al, 2015;van Stenden, 2018). They also fulfil an important social function supporting those in need within the night-time economy with or without the presence of the police (Barton et al, 2011;Johns et al, 2018;van Steden, 2018). This paper explores the motivations of volunteer street patrols and how they contribute to the policing and community safety landscape of the weekend night-time economy in Manchester.…”

“…In the absence of the state, volunteers accepted the initial responsibility, up to a point, until the police or ambulance arrived (Johns et al, 2018). The range of incidents volunteer street patrols assist with is vast and at times challenging.…”

“…Responsibilised volunteering. This increased awareness of crime, disorder and issues related to safety led to volunteers taking to the streets to help others, address problems and support the state (Johns et al, 2009;Johns et al, 2018;Middleton and Yarwood, 2015). The Street Angel talks about why people initially came together to form the group:…”

“…It's the public service side, helping police, my brother-in-law works for them [the police], I know how stretched they are and how we can make a difference by dealing with the lower-level staff and stopping things from potentially escalating. (Street Pastor) Volunteers expressed the need to support the emergency services, a growing trend in the criminal justice voluntary sector (Corcoran et al, 2018;Johns et al, 2018). Joining a street patrol allows participants to contribute.…”