Actions

Here are some of the actions we want to pursue - feel free to adopt or adapt as you wish and remember to check out the Get involved section too on how to make things happen on a local level.

Make a mark:  Tell the council, community groups, police and media that you are starting a local group to promote public engagement in the fight against violent crime and to advocate the importance of bearing witness.  Find out what they are doing and encourage them to do more.  Simply by telling them a group has started in this area will likely improve their performance.  Helping and watching them as they go forward definitely will.

Reacting to attacks:  Where there has been a nasty violent crime that has distressed a local area and particularly one where witnesses won't engage, suggest a public meeting to discuss what can and should be done.  The meeting can be arranged with a local school, a church or other faith.  If the locality has street-leaders, a local victim support group, youth clubs, community voluntary service, invite them along too.  Pass the message about through schools, newsagents and other local shopkeepers.

Theatre groups:  Make contact with local theatre groups.  They may be happy to come up with some street theatre (and we plan to have examples on this site in due course) that will catch people’s attention and get them thinking about violent crime, walk-on-by and public disengagement.  They may be willing to take the play to, or help with any work, in local schools.

Mock muggings:  Think about staging a mock mugging to see how passers-by react.  If you want to try this, do discuss it with the local police first.  You could link up with the local paper or TV station and film the event.  Think about offering some prize or praise to passers-by who engage and deserve some special thanks. 

Clubs and pubs:  Whether it’s a bingo, boxing, youth or snooker club, and whether at a pub quiz or music night, ask the manager if he will let you say a few words about this issue and what we and you are trying to do and why.  See if they will agree that an evening can be a fund-raising event for your local group as well. 

Schools and colleges:  Ask the local schools if they would let you talk with the students or parents for half an hour about this issue.  This could be at an assembly or just with one class.  (NB.  We hope to have a short film and toolkit available early in the New Year which you are welcome to use).

Work and social groups:  Chambers of commerce and local unions may be willing to offer you a platform.  The rotary or lion’s club may invite you to speak to their members.  And remember that every such opportunity you take, you’ll be learning and encouraging others to engage and help.

Prizes:  Whether it’s for a boxing competition, for a mock mugging or for a piece of art or writing by a school pupil, see if you can get someone to offer a prize.  Local business will often be pleased to offer a prize if it’s something for the local community.  And if you can get the activity covered in the local press, so much the better.  (NB We have some grand ideas for slogans for T-shirts.  If you have any influence with someone with clout in one of the nationwide clothing stores and they’re interested in what you’re and we’re doing, please put us in contact.  We’re not looking for money – just a good business deal).

Murals:  If there’s a blank or unattractive wall in your neighbourhood ask the building’s owner if it can be used for a mural to mark your group’s work or the value of witnesses or community engagement.  He or she will probably want to see the designs or plans first.  Ask the local art college or a school art teacher if there are students who would like to help out.

Celebrities:  If you know a celebrity – be it a pop or TV star, a footballer or sportsman – ask them if they will help in some way.  Just a quote or an endorsement from someone famous or respected can help make a difference.

Faith groups:  And don’t overlook the local churches and faith groups.  They’ll have lots of good ideas and contacts and will likely offer you a chance to meet with some of their people.  They are also great places to learn about this issue – the value and importance of bearing witness has been a common theme among religions since the year dot.

Advice:  If you think there’s good reason to offer witnesses in your area confidential advice then there are several ways forward.  You can make contact with your local Law Society or Bar and ask if they can help find some lawyers who’ll be interested in providing advice to witnesses for free (which is known in the legal world as pro bono) or in guiding you on what you can helpfully and safely do yourself.  You can check out with your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or law centre what’s available in your area.  And you can refer people to our Guidance section on this site, and the page which explains the advice we can offer.  In terms of offering advice, it’s sensible not to go beyond this without doing a good deal of groundwork and checking your plans with an experienced lawyer.  The risk is that if you get the advice wrong, you could scare off a witness who would otherwise engage; you could raise their expectations higher than is realistic; or you might even unwittingly damage the chances of convicting a violent thug.