A Day in the Life of a Brentwood Connected Town Ranger
How a community first approach is making Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone safer, friendlier and more connected- every single day
What began as a three-month pilot has now become a valued fixture in the life of our local high streets. The Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID)Street Rangers, provided by Stambridge Group, are now a permanent part of the team working to support the businesses, residents and visitors of Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone.
Out in their green Brentwood Connected tactical vests, Rangers Luke and Chelsie are a visible and reassuring presence. Their mission is simple but vital: to ensure that our town centres are safe, welcoming, and well managed for everyone.
We recently spent a day shadowing the team to find out what ‘a day in the life’ of a Brentwood Connected Town Ranger is really like- and the result was a wonderful journey through the heart of our community.
The day began at the Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District (BID) HQ in the Town Hall on Ingrave Road. The Rangers share their base with Essex Police and the CCTV team, highlighting how closely they work with partners such as the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), Brentwood Borough Council, Essex Police, and Essex Youth Service. It’s this collaborative approach that ensures real-time action and long-term impact.
Led by Sarah Walmsley, the fantastic Brentwood Connected BID Manager, we took to the streets on a sunny morning and immediately felt the positive energy that the Rangers bring to the role. From helping businesses with local concerns to supporting residents and responding to incidents, no two days are ever the same.
The first stop of the day was a group of cheerful musicians performing near St Thomas's Church. The Rangers confirmed the buskers had permission to be there and took a moment to enjoy the lively atmosphere - just one example of how they balance community support with oversight.
Then it was on to Crown Street, beautifully decorated with lights and bunting installed by Brentwood Connected and local retailers. Here we visited 7 Crown Street, a hub for community events and hire, and the much loved Chicken and Frog Bookshop, run by local champions Jim and Natasha Radford. The shop is not only a celebration of literature but a vital space for learning, inclusion and neurodiversity - with a new sensory room and resource area launching soon.
Later we visited the Brentwood Art Trail pop-up gallery in The Baytree Shopping Centre, where over 80 artists are exhibiting their work across 60+ local venues. Events like this, funded by the Brentwood Connected BID are just one of the many initiatives that help bring art, life and vibrancy to our High Streets.
But the role of a Street Ranger goes far beyond community engagement. That same afternoon, the team received a call over the radio- an elderly woman had taken a fall. The Rangers arrived quickly, delivered first aid, made her comfortable and waited with her until paramedics arrived. Their calm, compassionate and professional response was a true credit to their training and dedication.
Shortly after, Chelsie spotted someone riding an illegal high-speed e-bike (Surron) along the pavement- a real safety concern. The team alerted the CCTV control room so the incident could be dealt with safely by local police. This kind of vigilance keeps Brentwood’s streets safe for families, the elderly and our many local schoolchildren.
At 3:30 pm, as schools finished for the day, the High Street filled with students. The Rangers’ presence is just one part of a coordinated effort, schools are now working with Brentwood Connected to support positive behaviour, even sending staff to supervise bus stops. We spoke to two students proudly involved in improving the town’s planters, showing how these initiatives encourage real civic pride.
The Town Rangers continue to visit local businesses throughout the day, building trust, checking in, and acting as a point of contact for anything from safety concerns to promotional support.
Chair of the Brentwood Business Partnership, Kaye Thurgood, summed it up:
“This initiative has become an essential part of delivering on our ‘Welcoming Places’ theme. Luke and Chelsie are more than just street rangers - they are the eyes and ears of our community, and we are so proud of the work they do.”
The Brentwood Connected BID, the first in the UK to unite three town centres, supports over 500 businesses in Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone. Through initiatives like the Town Rangers, the BID is delivering on its core priorities:
· Improving Places - by dressing the streets and making them more inviting;
· Promoting Places - through events, marketing and footfall-driving initiatives;
· Welcoming Places - by ensuring streets are safe, clean and community friendly;
· Connecting Places – encouraging civic pride and strong local networks.
Chelsie, Brentwood Connected Town Ranger, said:
“Every day is different, but what’s always the same is how much we care about this community. Whether we’re helping someone who’s fallen, chatting with local shop owners, or just being a friendly face on the High Street- we’re here to make sure Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone feel safe, supported and welcoming. It’s a job I’m really proud to do.”
With thanks to Sarah and the Brentwood Connected team for their vision and leadership, the Town Ranger programme is now an embedded and celebrated part of life in the borough - proving that with the right people, partnerships and purpose, high streets can thrive again.
