A Day in the Life of a Southend City BID Street Ranger

Keeping Southend’s City Centre Safe, Welcoming and Connected, Every Day

Whether it’s assisting lost visitors, supporting businesses, preventing crime, or helping manage major events, the Southend City BID Street Rangers are out every day making a visible and vital difference on Southend High Street.

Based at The Forum Southend, and operating within the Southend City BID zone, the Street Ranger team - Andrew, Kyle, Mark and Joe have become trusted and familiar faces in the heart of the city. Working closely with Essex Police, Southend Council, the Community Safety Partnership and other local agencies, the Rangers provide a reassuring presence while acting as a crucial link between businesses, the public, and support services.

This week, we're showing a glimpse into just one of the busy days in the life a team driven by professionalism, community spirit and a genuine passion for the city they work in.

The day began with a morning briefing at The Forum for those not on shift the previous day-ensuring the whole team is up to date on incidents, business intelligence, and patrol priorities. Shortly after, they headed out for a patrol of the city centre before joining a joint police and community safety briefing; a sign of the strong inter-agency coordination that defines the BID’s work.

Out on patrol, the Street Rangers engaged with members of the public, offering directions to local eateries and assisting tourists. But their role isn’t just about being helpful, it’s also about taking decisive action to support safety and security.

During the same day, the team collaborated with Southend’s dedicated city centre police officers to apprehend two shoplifters and recover stolen goods. They also moved on an unauthorised street seller, de-escalated an altercation between two individuals, and checked in with several local businesses to offer support and provide BID updates.

This proactive approach is what makes the Southend City BID Street Rangers so valued by businesses. “They’re always there when you need them,” said Dennis Baldry, manager of  The Victoria Centre . “From helping with security issues to just checking in with a friendly face- they make a real difference.”

During the afternoon, the team also responded swiftly to help an elderly woman who had fallen, providing immediate assistance and waiting with her until paramedics arrived,  a moment that reminded us how compassion is as important as crime prevention.

The previous Saturday, the rangers were on duty supporting Southend Pride, working alongside the Stambridge Group’s professional security and medical team to ensure the celebration remained safe and inclusive for everyone.

Suzanne Gloyne, Southend City BID Manager, commented:

“Our Street Rangers play a vital role in delivering the BID’s commitment to a safer, stronger city centre. Their work goes beyond security- they build relationships, defuse tensions, and create a welcoming environment that benefits residents, businesses and visitors alike.”

Southend City BID supports hundreds of businesses across the city centre through its strategic priorities:

·         Manage – Providing proactive support for all and ensuring the High Street is well-managed and protected;

·         Market -  Providing a friendly face and championing Southend as a vibrant and inclusive destination.;

·         Motivate - Strengthening partnerships and community pride;

Andrew, Southend City BID Street Ranger, summed it up best:

“No two days are ever the same -  and that’s what I love about this job. We’re here to protect, help, and engage. Whether it’s stopping theft, helping someone in distress, or just having a chat with a business owner - we’re proud to be part of what keeps Southend’s city centre thriving.”

With years of service under their belts, the Southend City BID Street Rangers have become a backbone of the local community, proving that with partnership, consistency and care, Southend’s city centre continues to be a place people want to live, work and visit.