By Jemima Wittich
The Cheltenham Guardians launched their organisation in 2015 and since then, they have been keeping nightlife in Cheltenham safe for all of those who partake in it. For many in the community, whether it’s those who go out in Cheltenham, or their friends or family, the Cheltenham Guardians are real heroes of Gloucestershire.
They work in co-ordination with Gloucestershire Constabulary and Cheltenham Borough Council to help ‘ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of women in the Evening and Night-time Economy environment’. The Guardians enforce the India Protocol every Saturday night and Sunday morning from 10pm to 5am.
Tara Rowe has been volunteering for the Cheltenham Guardians over the past few years, doing her part as a hero in the community. She is part of the patrol team keeping people of Cheltenham safe from Saturday evening through the Sunday morning.
At the beginning of 2022, there was a sharp increase in the number of spiking incidents taking place within student nightlife areas. “Working with spiking victims is always quite difficult. We do the best we can which is either, if necessary, calling an ambulance, or taking them home and making sure they’re safe.” It was a difficult time for the Cheltenham Guardians – with a sizeable increase in the amount of spiking victims on the streets, the patrol team was busier than usual, trying to help as many people as they could. Unsurprisingly, they still delivered such a great, reliable service, getting as many people as safe and secure as they could.
When patrolling, if Tara were to find someone in need, she would follow the India Protocol.

“The India Protocol helps save lives and keep women safe, but it’s actually started because of something really awful.” In 2016, a young woman, India Chipchase, was tragically raped and murdered during a night out in Northampton. This devastating event led to the establishment of the India Protocol, to help us to prevent similar atrocities in the future. “It reminds me why I do this job and it helps us save so many women from suffering the same fate that India did.”
The Cheltenham Guardians’ team is entirely female. “Obviously young women would feel more safe and secure with a team of women, but it does actually make a difference with the young lads we see as well.” Although the team’s main aim to protect young women, they often help lots of young men on nights out too, whether they’ve had too much to drink or been in a fight. “I think the boys feel a bit less embarrassed when we help them because we’re all girls. Sometimes they are a bit hesitant, but regardless of anything, we just want to help anyway we can. We only ever offer help; we don’t force it.”
So next time you’re on a night out, look out for Tara and her team to see the real heroes of the hour.
To find out more about the incredible work they do, check out their website: