STREET rangers are a familiar sight as they patrol Southend town centre to keep families safe, giving them a reassuring welcome.

With regular reports of serious crime, patrolling the streets of Southend is no easy task - something I learned first-hand when I became a street ranger for the day.

During my time shadowing a ranger, I embarked on a guided patrol through Southend High Street by street ranger Josh Hunter, who joined in June.

Typically the team, which works for Southend Business Improvement District, patrols the High Street and seafront from 9am to 6pm.

The rangers are kitted out in a stab vest, with a radio and body camera, ready to help anyone in need.

This could be a business targeted by thieves, a missing person, or anyone involved in a domestic incident.

My day with the rangers started with a scheduled police phone call, to catch up on events of the previous day.

I then liaised with community safety officers and even visited the top “thieving hotspots” along the High Street, learning how rangers respond when businesses are targeted.

Josh, 29, from Southend, said: “We’re aware of regular spots where trouble usually occurs.

“Thieves have a thing for taking perfume and valuables, so target shops such as the Perfume Shop, Boots, Superdrug.”

Hayley Gardiner, a sales advisor at the Perfume Shop in Southend High Street, explained how the rangers have helped in the past.

The 33-year-old, from Southend, said: “We do have a lot of thefts here, most of which the rangers have attended.

“They make sure we’re OK, a lot of the time get our stock back, and even give us a head’s up of who to look out for. Things would be a lot worse without them here.”

After a theft in Iceland, I went behind the scenes to review CCTV footage to find out what happened and how we could help.

I was horrified to see that a customer had pocketed an elderly gentleman’s wallet after he’d accidentally left it behind at the checkout.

Josh made a note of his description so that if we did bump into him, we would be able to take action.

We also responded to a report that homeless people were sleeping inside McDonald’s, with shoppers complaining of a disturbance. They were safely escorted out.

Josh added: “A lot of the time vulnerable people do need our help – there’s one vulnerable man I know who kept being badgered for money.

“They wouldn’t leave him alone and it was making his life a misery, so he’d just give it to them so they cleared off.

“When I stepped in, they left and haven’t been back since. It’s rewarding to think I made a difference in his life.”

Wayne Edwards, 40, has been a street ranger for the last two years.

Summing up the impact of the rangers, he said: “A whole seven years ago, the rangers started as just people who were there for guidance. Now look at where we are.

“I think it’s the thrill of the chase which keeps me going.”