Key facts
- Seven domestic abuse survivors allege their former partners are involved in far-right UK street patrols.
- These patrols claim to protect women but have been accused of targeting men of colour.
- Some group members have histories of severe domestic violence, including machete attacks and threats.
- At least 14 street patrol groups operate across the UK, receiving public donations and political support.
- One activist, Reece McCarron, was convicted of coercive control after a violent incident involving a machete.
- Another patrol member, Jamie Thomason, has a conviction for threatening a former partner.
Seven women who are survivors of domestic abuse have detailed how their former partners are now prominent figures in far-right anti-immigration street patrol movements across the UK. These groups, often wearing high-visibility jackets and sometimes stab-proof vests, conduct patrols in towns and cities, ostensibly to protect women and deter crime.
However, the women allege that these patrols are frequently used to profile and target men of colour, with some members having a history of severe violence and controlling behavior towards their partners. One survivor, identified as Lisa, described her ex-partner, a key figure in the Raising the Colours movement, as a "bully in every way." She recounted instances of emotional and physical abuse, including an attack with a machete, and constant threats after she left him.
Another activist, Reece McCarron, founded the Corby Guard after being inspired by a perceived threat to a young girl. McCarron himself was later convicted of coercive control following a violent incident at his former partner's home. Similarly, Adam Farrell and Jamie Thomason formed the Heywood community guard; Farrell has a conviction for a racist attack, and Thomason has a history of threatening a former partner.
These street patrol groups have gained traction, with at least 14 established across the UK, attracting tens of thousands of pounds in donations and some political backing, including calls for more patrols from Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK. The Guardian has reviewed evidence indicating the severity of abuse linked to men involved in these patrols, with some survivors having obtained restraining or non-molestation orders, and one being relocated by police for her safety.