Antisocial behaviour: No excuse for abuse
Please read this guidance to help you and your team protect against antisocial behaviour and criminal offences.
It’s important that you know what to do to keep yourself safe if you witness or experience antisocial behaviour or criminal offences in your RNLI role.
The main thing to remember is that your safety always comes first. You are empowered to make decisions to keep yourself and your team safe.
If you don’t feel safe or a situation is escalating:
- Stay calm.
- Remove yourself/your team from the situation.
- Inform your RNLI manager as soon as possible or contact the RNLI Operations Room (open 24/7): UK freephone 0800 011 3129, Ireland freephone 1800 200 376, email [email protected].
- Close for the day if you need to.
If there is an emergency or a crime is in progress, call 999 (999 or 112 in Ireland) and ask for the police or Gardaí.
How to report
All staff and volunteers must report any observation or experience of antisocial behaviour or a criminal offence. There are several ways you can do this:
- Report through your manager using the paper SHE Reporting Form. If you have an RNLI login, you can also report using the online RNLI SHE Reporting Form if you have a login.
- Report directly to the Safeguarding Team at [email protected].
- If you need any support, contact the Operations Room (open 24/7): UK freephone 0800 011 3129, Ireland freephone 1800 200 376, email [email protected].
Remember to report any criminal offences to the police or Gardaí and get a crime reference number. Police services usually have an online reporting tool, but if you need assistance that day you can call 101 (UK) or contact your local Garda station (Ireland).
In an emergency, call 999 (999 or 112 in Ireland).
The RNLI will support all volunteers and staff to ensure that all incidents reported are taken seriously and investigated. We will provide all evidence that could lead to a prosecution, where there are grounds to do so.
Welfare
It’s normal to need support following an incident and there is welfare support available. Find out more on the wellbeing page Volunteer Zone (search: RNLI.org/wellbeing).
Signage and resources
Our Personal Safety and Lone Working Policy is available in the policies section on Volunteer Zone. Posters and resources are also available with key safety messages for RNLI volunteers are available to download:
- Shop poster for volunteers – UK
- Shop poster for volunteers – Ireland
- Display poster for members of the public – UK
- Display poster for members of the public – Ireland.
Your RNLI manager is here to support you. Speak to your manager to discuss plans and guidance specific to your role or location.
Thank you for everything you are doing in your role to keep each other safe and report any incidents to the RNLI.
Remember, your safety always comes first.