Code of conduct
Last updated 2 September 2026 · Applies to every member, on the web and in the Shield Hub app
We Are The Shield exists to make public spaces safer. Everything you post, say and do in Shield Hub reflects on every other member. By using the platform you agree to these standards. They apply to the community feed, groups, comments, private messages, patrol records, training and any Shield activity in person.
What we expect
Treat every member with respect
Disagree with the point, never attack the person. No insults, mockery, pile-ons or public shaming — on the feed, in comments or in private messages.
Safeguarding comes first
If you have a concern about a child or an adult at risk, raise it through Safeguarding immediately. Never discuss a concern on the community feed or in a group chat. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 first.
Protect confidential information
Do not share other people's personal details, addresses, images of members of the public, incident details or safeguarding information outside the platform or on social media.
Represent the Shield properly on patrol
Follow your briefing, stay within your role, de-escalate rather than confront, and never present yourself as police or security. Report what happened honestly, including mistakes.
Keep your training current
Complete the training assigned to your role by its due date. If a course lapses, expect to be stood down from operational duties until it is back in date.
Be honest in your records
Patrol reports, attendance and incident records are formal records. Do not exaggerate, omit or alter them.
Never acceptable
Any of the following can lead to content being removed and your membership being suspended or ended, and may be reported to the police.
- Harassment, bullying, intimidation or repeated unwanted contact
- Hate speech or discrimination on any protected characteristic
- Threats of violence, or encouraging violence or vigilante action
- Sexual, explicit or grossly offensive content
- Sharing images or details of children without lawful basis and consent
- Impersonating another member, a manager, the police or any authority
- Spam, scams, unauthorised commercial promotion or recruitment
- Sharing another member's or a member of the public's private information
- Attending patrol under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Carrying weapons, or using force beyond lawful self-defence
Reporting and blocking
Every post, comment, private message and member profile in Shield Hub has a Report option. Reports are private — the member you report is not told who reported them.
Any member can also block another member. Once blocked, you no longer see their posts or comments, and you can manage your block list at any time from My profile.
A manager or safeguarding officer reviews every report within 24 hours. We can hide or delete content, issue a warning, restrict messaging, suspend a member, or end a membership. Anything that looks like a criminal offence or a safeguarding risk is escalated straight to the Safeguarding Manager and, where appropriate, to the police or the local authority.
If a decision affects you, you can appeal it by emailing conduct@newbeginningsnetwork.co.uk within 14 days. Appeals are heard by someone who was not involved in the original decision.
In an emergency
Call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger. Then raise a safeguarding concern in Shield Hub so the record exists and the Safeguarding Manager can follow it up.