India Chipchase was a bright, beautiful 20-year-old with her whole life ahead of her. Kind, hardworking, and full of dreams — studying to become a paramedic while working as a barmaid — she was taken far too soon in January 2016 after a night out in Northampton.

 

What happened to India was every parent's worst nightmare: a vulnerable young woman, separated from friends, was preyed upon by a stranger who promised to "get her home safe" but instead inflicted unimaginable violence. Her death shocked the nation and exposed how quickly a fun evening can turn to tragedy without proper safeguards.

 

Yet from this heartbreak has come hope. India's family chose to channel their grief into preventing the same fate for others. With their full support, we named our flagship safeguarding initiative in her memory — ensuring India's name lives on as a beacon of protection.

 

The India Protocol: India's Lasting Legacy

 

Born directly from India's tragedy, the India Protocol is a promise to women and girls that we will do everything in our power to keep you safe from harm.

 

Every Saturday night, our uniformed female Guardians proactively patrol Cheltenham's streets under the simple but powerful mantra:

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• Approach — We seek out women who may be alone or vulnerable.

• Ascertain — We check they are safe and understand their plans.

• Assist — We help them get home safely, offer welfare support, or intervene if needed.

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Since 2016, this targeted approach has safeguarded thousands of women, reduced vulnerability, and saved emergency services countless hours and resources. The India Protocol is the UK's leading female-focused night-time protection programme.

 

India's family continues to support our work, reminding us why we do this: so no one else suffers as India did.

 

If you're out in Cheltenham and need help, look for our Guardians, call 01242 350 330, or visit the Nightcare Hub at 1 Royal Crescent.

 

Together, we keep India's memory alive by keeping women safe.