From the Streets to a Strategy: How Real-Life Experience Shaped the Community Support Team (CST) Scheme
- aliceberbiers5
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
The initial idea for the Community Support Team (CST) didn’t begin in a boardroom. It wasn’t the product of a white paper or policy review. It was born on the streets, shaped by lived experience, quick decisions, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.
Back in 2008, while working as a Door Supervisor and site manager across various venues in the city, Oli, found that many of the incidents he responded to weren’t happening at the door, they were happening between the doors. On the pavements, in alleyways, and outside venues, people needed help. Whether it was offering support to someone in distress, de-escalating confrontations, or calling emergency services for more serious situations, Oli consistently saw a troubling gap: a disconnect between what was unfolding in real time and the ability of already-stretched frontline services to respond immediately.
That’s where the seeds of this initiative were planted. It started with simply naming what many of us were already doing instinctively, stepping up because it was the right thing to do. This informal concept became the City Response Team (CRT). It wasn’t a funded scheme or a formal program, it was a label, a recognition of the proactive support being quietly carried out by those of us on the ground.
A 2015 article in Kent Online offered a small but meaningful nod to this grassroots effort. You can read it here: Kent Online CRT Article
As time passed and Oli's personal workload grew, he wasn’t able to spend as much time out in the field. But he knew the idea had merit, it just needed refining, formal training, and a proper structure to deliver it sustainably.
That’s how the Community Support Team Operative (CSTO) scheme was developed, a new model grounded in real-life frontline experience. CSTOs aren’t police officers, and we’re certainly not trying to be.
What we are is a visible, trained, and compassionate support presence.
We’re here to:
Reassure and engage with the public
Deter antisocial behaviour
Report concerns through the appropriate channels
Assist where needed
Work closely and cooperatively alongside Kent Police and Canterbury City Council
Our operatives are trained in:
De-escalation
Behavioural detection
Mental Health First Aid and Catastrophic Bleed Control
Incident reporting
Professional standards
We wear body-worn cameras, carry bleed control kits, and operate with full transparency and accountability.
Supporting Herne Bay
We’re incredibly proud to now be delivering 50 hours a week of dedicated CST presence in Herne Bay as part of a new initiative in partnership with Kent Police and Canterbury City Council.
This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about listening to residents, understanding their concerns, and helping to build safer, more connected communities.
Our mission is simple:
✅ Reassure and engage with the public
✅ Report concerns and intelligence directly to Kent Police
✅ Support local businesses and residents
✅ Collect feedback to help inform local safety strategies
Just last week, one of our CSTOs was the first on scene at a road traffic incident. While waiting for emergency services to arrive, they provided comfort and care, a small moment that speaks volumes about what this scheme is really about.
Thank You
We'd like to personally thank Canterbury City Council and Kent Police for recognising the value of using the services of Akon Security Services Ltd and giving us the platform to make a difference.
What started as one person reacting to real-world needs has evolved into something bigger, a collaborative approach to community support with heart, purpose, and professionalism.
If you’re in Herne Bay and you see one of our CSTOs out and about, come say hello. We’re here for you.
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