Blue Light Whistle Blowing Service for the discreet reporting of concerns

Blue Light Whistle Blowers is a new dedicated whistle-blowing service exclusively for those employed, or recently employed in blue light services encompassing police, fire and ambulance crews based in England and Wales.

The charity understands the mixed feelings and actual impact that reporting wrongdoing can have. These conflicting feelings and experiences are why the charity is here to both acknowledge and endeavour to provide clear steps on the way forward.

Our aim is to provide safeguards for the person reporting and offer a prompt mechanism for lawfully following up appropriately with respect to any perpetrator of unethical behaviour or practices in blue light services.

The overall objective is to quickly intervene before the issue and potentially the risk to others has chance to escalate.

We know how hard it can be to make allegations to professional standards concerning inappropriate behaviour by colleagues in a tightly knit workplace, criminal acts and/or controlling and coercive behaviour in the domestic environment.

This exclusive helpline is here to help those wishing to discreetly or anonymously report alleged wrong doing by colleagues and to also support victims involved in relationships with blue light employees. We will report their concerns either anonymously or with their consent to Professional Standards and/or the relevant HR department.

If you are a victim, we understand how difficult it is to raise concerns especially in a male- oriented environment, but whatever the circumstances, we will engage with you. We will provide guidance, support you and report your concerns if you want us to and also where required signpost you to other supporting services.

To use the Blue Light Whistle Blowers reporting hotline, you must be employed, or recently employed by a blue light service, and/or involved or have been involved in an emotional relationship with a blue light employee. For all other concerns please contact the relevant Blue Light organisation’s HR or Professional Standards Department. Or in an emergency please dial 999. blwb.org.uk

For Blue Light Organisations: We seek to engage with all Blue Light Organisations and their multi-faceted structures including but not limited to the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), Elected Mayors, Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC), the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), the Police Federation, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), Fire Authorities, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), NHS Ambulance Trusts and UNISON.

Experience has shown that early intervention can curtail and prevent things like bad behaviour escalating, which could ultimately result in injury or death. By anonymously alerting senior management about the suspicious or unlawful actions of an individual, they can be discreetly checked out by senior management, in the early stages without the glare of unwanted media publicity, until proven. If Wayne Couzens had been properly investigated when initial law breaking came to light, it is possible he could have been quickly stopped, and a life could have been spared.

All blue light services have issues and it is far better that intervention takes place very quickly when initial allegations come to light. If proven, the perpetrator can be quickly removed from the blue light service and prosecuted, before they have chance to escalate their behaviour.

Our aim is to engage and perfect the service required in preparation for the formal launch date, when the service goes live in 2026.

To arrange a meeting to explain in more detail what is planned or to request a call back, please email David Lloyd OBE: david.lloyd@blwb.org.uk or Philip Allott: philip.allott@blwb.org.uk

More information can be found at: https://blwb.org.uk Registered Charity number: 1208937. C/O Sage Cottage, Beech Hall, Knaresborough, HG5 0EA.