Launch of Blue Light Whistle Blowers - a new Knaresborough charity to safeguard women
A Knaresborough-based charity is launching a new whistle-blowing platform to “help prevent a future Wayne Couzens or David Carrick”.
Blue Light Whistle Blowers (BLWBs), is a new confidential whistle-blowing service exclusively for those employed, or recently employed, in blue light services encompassing firefighters, police and ambulance workers based in England and Wales.
The new service allows confidential disclosure and is aimed at “preventing a future Wayne Couzens or David Carrick”, former police officers both imprisoned after committing horrific offences on women.
It will also, its founders say, hopefully, act as an early warning system.
Trustee and Chair of Blue Light Whistle Blowers, Philip Allott said the aim was to provide safeguards for anyone reporting unethical behaviour in blue light services, including dishonesty, bullying and misogyny.
“The charity recognises that the vast majority of blue light workers are hardworking, honest, decent and law-abiding citizens,” said Mr Allott, a former council group leader, town mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner.
"Very sadly, a very tiny minority of staff have been responsible for murder, rape, theft, bullying along with coercive control, misogyny, racism and homophobia.”
"An investigation by ITV News into the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service raised similar concerns about the sexual harassment and abuse of women.
"Figures show that dozens of ambulance workers have faced action over sexual assault in the past few years, while paramedics account for one in three cases of tribunal action against care professionals.
“Our aim is to give victims a safe reporting mechanism, so that issues can be quickly dealt with before they have the opportunity to escalate.
"If we can help prevent any further Wayne Couzens that would be a great outcome."
Going live on May 28, the exclusive BLWB phone helpline will be operational 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Disclosures can also be made on the record, or anonymously, via the website reporting form 24/7.
The Blue Light Whistle Blowers trustees are Kathy Cox, Guy Phoenix, Jasbir Singh and Chair Philip Allott.
Bob Blackman, CBE, Conservative MP for Harrow East, will act as the charity’s Parliamentary spokesperson.
For more information, visit: www.blwb.org.uk