Private security for SE1

We are a diverse group, but one thing we all seem to agree on is that there are too many louts and yobs on our streets. From the cycle gangs terrorising Tooley Street to the thefts and violence outside our homes.

What does this forum think about collectively hiring a private security firm to patrol and assist in our borough?

If we each contributed to the fee we could bring some safety and security to our neighbourhood.

It's how they do it in Johannesburg. Maybe it's time to face up to the consequences of the police cuts and start taking action in London.

Brilliant idea.

sounds like a great idea - what is the crime rate in Joburg compared to London? If it is working well there then let's have it here!

I would strongly oppose the use of private security staff. If the Home Secretary would get on with the the recruitment and training of the promised new police officers (20,000?) we might see a difference but further privatization - no.

See https://www.ft.com/content/ab7600e4-2068-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c

(or Google "High South African crime rates and low faith in police boost private security in Guateng" to get past the FT's paywall.)

Private police on the public streets - probably illegal in the UK, thank God!

John C wrote:

See https://www.ft.com/content/ab7600e4-2068-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c
(or Google "High South African crime rates and low faith in police boost private security in Guateng" to get past the FT's paywall.)

Private police on the public streets - probably illegal in the UK, thank God!

or https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-01-15-as-sa-policing-fails-private-security-steps-in-but-at-a-cost/

Alberta Ally wrote:

If the Home Secretary would get on with the the recruitment and training of the promised new police officers (20,000?) we might see a difference ...

I think we agree! If only the government were on top of things we would not need to consider other options.

Private health insurance is growing in the UK because of the state of the NHS, I think policing is going the same way. I wish it had not come to this but here we are!

However I don't mean to make this a political issue. I am just looking for a practical solution.

This is legal in the UK. Here is a news story about a successful private police force which have been running for a few years in several London neighbourhoods https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britains-first-private-police-force-to-go-nationwide-after-success-in-londons-wealthiest-a3832321.html

This is their website https://mylocalbobby.co.uk/

There are other news stories and details about them on there that you can read. I believe there are other firms who run private police services as well.

At this stage it would be helpful to get an idea of how many people might be interested. Please leave a comment if you are. No obligation to go ahead with anything, it would just help to get a sense of numbers

Southwark_sensibility omitted my opening sentence "I would strongly oppose the use of private security staff"; they quoted but out of context. But to the further comments on privatization and the NHS, there is already creeping privatization within the NHS (e.g. GP practices; some of the ambulances etc. etc. Privatization is certainly a political issue.

I imagine they are armed in Jo'burg. What powers would they be likely to have? CPSO levels? Not even that.

Also, one can only imagine the type of people that would put themselves forward, see football srewarding.

It wouldn't be one provider for Southwark, it would be seperate providers of differing costs for differing blocks, courts etc. You know where it's going, it wont be Peabody residents being looked after.

southwark_sensibility wrote:

...
This is legal in the UK. Here is a news story about a successful private police force which have been running for a few years in several London neighbourhoods https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britains-first-private-police-force-to-go-nationwide-after-success-in-londons-wealthiest-a3832321.html

This is their website https://mylocalbobby.co.uk/

There are other news stories and details about them on there that you can read. I believe there are other firms who run private police services as well.

...

southwark_sensibility - I may simply be misreading the online information you refer us to, but it still seems to me that 'private police forces' AREN'T legal in the UK.

Surely the 'mylocalbobby' people are NOT sworn law-enforcement officers? They have NO police powers - they may carry out a 'citizen's arrest' in the appropriate circumstances just like anyone else, but then still have to wait for the arrival a real policeman to enforce the law. They have no more authority than the bouncers you see outside the George on a Saturday evening.

Quote from the Evening Standard: 'The officers, who wear distinctive red caps and bibs, have regularly moved on drug users and drunks from central London neighbourhoods.' Who gave them the authority to do that? Sounds like those bullies in uniform described in one of those reports from South Africa.

If a 'mylocalbobby' went up against the kids on bikes in Tooley Street, being street-savvy Londoner kids they'd probably tell him to **** off - and I wouldn't blame them.

Alberta Ally - this is worse than privatisation - it's the rich buying their own law. It's like a return to the days before the London Fire Brigade, when the private fire brigades would only put the fire out if your house had the right fire insurance plaque on the wall.

And, yes, it's a political issue. We're a democracy (or at least the Brexiteers kept telling us so) - so all you have to do if you want a properly funded police force (and a functioning NHS) is to persuade a majority of the voting population to vote for whichever political party, local councillor or London mayoral candidate not only promises to be 'hard on knife crime' but promises you they're going to put up your taxes to pay for it.

We're still (in spite of Brexit) a relatively rich country. We can afford it, if people are willing to pay their fair share of the costs.

PS - it may be my browser but https://mylocalbobby.co.uk/ seems to be offline at the moment.