Blue Light Whistle Blowers (BLWBs), is a new charity whistle-blowing service exclusively for those employed, or recently employed, in blue light services encompassing firefighters, police and ambulance workers based in England and Wales. The charity which operates from Knaresborough will go operational from the 28 of May 2026.
BLWB aim is to provide safeguards for the person reporting unethical behaviour including dishonesty, bullying and misogyny in blue light services. The overall objective is to quickly intervene before the issue, and the potential risk to others, has had a chance to escalate.
It can be hard to make allegations to line managers concerning inappropriate behaviour by blue light colleagues in a tightly knit workplace, the aim of the charity is to act as a bridge and support staff to make safe confidential disclosures.
BLWB understands the mixed feelings and actual impact that reporting wrongdoing can have on both the victim and the Blue Light Service trying to resolve the issue. The charity is dedicated to supporting those affected and to offer, where needed, sign posting to supporting services.
The exclusive phone helpline will be operational 9 – 5pm Monday to Friday, disclosures can also be made on the record, or anonymously, via the website reporting form 24/7. The charity hopes to act as an early warning system by reporting concerns to the relevant blue light organisation, early so that prompt action can be taken.
BLWB overall aim is to allow the discreet reporting of alleged wrongdoing by fellow blue light colleagues and to also support potential victims involved in relationships with blue light employees.
The charity has four trustees, Kathy Cox, Guy Phoenix, Jasbir Singh and Chair Philip Allott. Bob Blackman, CBE, MP is its Parliamentary spokesperson.
Chair Philip Allott said:
The charity recognises that the vast majority of blue light workers are hardworking, honest, decent and law-abiding citizens. However, very sadly a very tiny minority of staff have been responsible for murder, rape, theft, bullying along with coercive control, misogyny, racism and homophobia.
Many of the victims and those who witness some of the lower-level bad behaviours are afraid to speak out because of the fear they may not be believed by line managers or from the risk of being subsequently ostracised by work colleagues. Our aim is to give these people a safe reporting mechanism, so that issues can be quickly dealt with before they have the opportunity to escalate.
It is a sad fact that some victims are disenfranchised by the very services that are supposed to protect them, so they need the utmost support, and that is where the new charity sees its remit. As part of the service later in the year BLWB will provide guidance and sign posting to other charities with services ranging from counselling to sexual assault referral centres.
Further details about the charity can be found at: www.blwb.org.uk
The charity defines blue light services as serving police officers, firefighters, (full-time or on call), paramedics, first responders and others employed by ambulance trusts, who respond to 999 incidents.
Blue Light Whistle Blowers represent blue light victims in England and Wales. It is registered as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) number 1208937, to support whistle blowers and victims of blue light employees.
The charity defines blue light services as serving or recently serving police officers, firefighters, whether wholetime or on call, paramedics, first responders and others employed by ambulance trusts who are involved in attending 999 incidents.
The full list of Charitable Objectives can be found here:
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5232102/governing-document
The independent service is overseen by a diverse board of trustees comprising:
Chair – Philip Allott, a legal consultant and data protection specialist who is also a company director of a legal compliance company.’
Scrutiny – Katherine Cox, having spent over 35 years within the education sector, Kathy is an experienced education manager and classroom practitioner.
IT support – Guy Phoenix
Guy Phoenix is Owner and Group Managing Director of the Fresh Mango Technologies Group of Information Technology companies, with offices in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and Yorkshire.
Volunteer engagement specialist – Jasbir Singh
As a volunteer engagement specialist, Jasbir has helped organisations to find innovative ways of recruiting and engaging with volunteers. He has over two decades worth of experience working with volunteers and voluntary organisations, including volunteering at national and local level for numerous charities.
Parliament – Bob Blackman MP (Supporter not a Trustee)
Bob is the Member of Parliament for Harrow East. A former leader of the Conservative group on Brent council, he previously served as a Member of the London Assembly (MLA) for Brent and Harrow between 2004 and 2008.
