Volunteers in stab vests patrol to make town safer

Rose Forde launched the group in May 2025

The director of a voluntary group which patrols crime hotspots wearing stab vests has said she is living through the "worst time for young people" and youth violence.

The initiative, Street Fathers Luton, operate across the town to engage with young people and raise awareness of the dangers of youth violence.

Founder and director Rose Forde said she felt "we need to do something".

Supt Alex House, Bedfordshire Police's knife crime lead, confirmed the force had recorded an increase in serious youth violence offences in October but it was working on "preventative initiatives".

The group patrols Marsh Farm and Luton town centre

Ms Forde, 68, explained the stab vests were for protection as the volunteers - who are also known as Street Mothers - may find themselves in dangerous situations.

She added they mainly wanted this uniform "to be a sign to people that this is a place that is safe for young people to turn to and speak to someone in confidence".

The community engagement group was launched in May, based on a London model, and now has 15 members.

"The frequency with which they [stabbings] are happening and the ages of the people who are involved is quite worrying," she said.

Two men were taken to hospital with stab wounds following an incident in Luton on Wednesday.

Sharon McGovern has been involved in the group from the start

Bedfordshire grandmother Sharon McGovern has been part of the group since it started.

The 54-year-old said: "The overall increase in knife crime is quite frightening, I grew up in Marsh Farm and I do have some lived experience of two people that I know that have been stabbed.

"[I think about] my grandchildren growing up in today's society, I'm quite scared for them."

According to police data, in the 12 months up to October, there were 2,292 violent and sexual offences reported in the Luton north and west neighbourhoods.

That represents an increase on the previous 12 months, when there were 2,077 violent and sexual crimes reported.

The volunteers have all received conflict resolution, first aid and safeguarding training, as well as disclosure and barring service checks

Street volunteer Si Philbert explained how the initiative is not about vigilantism, but prevention.

The 51-year-old said: "For us it's really just about being as open as possible, not encouraging people to be confrontational with us.

"Obviously if there is a safeguarding issue for a young person or a vulnerable adult [we follow] proper safeguarding procedure and report it to the police."

The group are looking for more volunteers to help with street patrols or administration.

Mr Philbert said being a Street Father or Street Mother "isn't just about being out on patrol".

"As long as your heart's in the right place and your mind's in the right place, you can help."

Supt House said: "While we have recorded an increase in serious youth violence offences in October, longer term we're continuing to see the number of offences either decrease or stay at the same level as previous years.

"We're carrying out a number of preventative initiatives, including inputs to schools and colleges with our bespoke virtual reality film Lost Boys educating young people on the consequences of becoming involved in gang crime and carrying a knife."