Rochford District Council is launching a three-month trial of Town Rangers on Rayleigh High Street in Essex starting on 1 April 2026. The new officers will patrol the town centre and the Airport retail park to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour following a recent increase in local concerns.
These rangers will wear marked tactical vests and are trained in first aid and professional security. They will carry radios to communicate directly with local shops, police, and CCTV operators through a system called the Shop Safe scheme.
The project is funded by the Rochford and Castle Point Community Safety Partnership and the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex. The rangers will work closely with Essex Police and local youth services to keep the shopping areas safe for visitors.
Councillor Danielle Belton, leader of the council, noted that similar schemes in other towns have led to a significant drop in crime. Official police figures show that officers made 1,446 arrests for shop theft across the county in the year ending 31 October 2025.
A similar programme in Southend recently helped recover more than £5,500 worth of stolen goods in just one month. Council leaders hope the presence of uniformed officers in Rayleigh will discourage criminals and make the high street a more welcoming place to shop.
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