The Bobby Trust began life in 1998 as one man and a van, working out of a police station. It was funded by Hampshire Police together with Hampshire County Council. With a mixture of personalised advice and practical assistance, the scheme set out to help victims of burglary and the vulnerable to feel safe again, and at the same time, reduce the risk of repeat crimes. In 2010 central government drastically reduced the money provided to local authorities. Believing there was still a very real need for it, founder Lindsay Fox refused to let the Bobby Scheme die. Together with Alan Lovell, who was at that time High Sheriff, they rallied friends and family to create a charitable trust to keep the scheme running.