To think that the advent of Britain's first Private Police Force is a terrifying prospect?

[AjasLipstick]

www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/britains-first-private-police-force-to-go-nationwide-after-success-in-londons-wealthiest-a3832321.html

Britain’s first private police force is set to be rolled out across the nation following its success in three of London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods.

The force, called My Local Bobby, makes citizens arrests and can gather evidence to launch private prosecutions.

Clients who pay up to £200-a-month are given a direct line to a local officer, who they can also track on an iPad, and enjoy a meet-and-greet service from Tube stations or cars.

It's a scary prospect...whoever is in charge of them...ie. paying them, could be in a very powerful position....or a very vulnerable one.

They won't have many powers, pretty much what the ordinary citizen can do now.

Don't you think the whole thing is very open to abuse though?

They’re really just a private investigator surely? They don’t have any powers beyond what I have?

Aren't they just like Shomrim?

People are just paying for a really proactive version of neighbourhood watch.

They still have to operate within the law, so not really any more 'powerful' that the next over invested citizen.

They are doing what any member of the public can do anyway. They have no police powers.

Private police force my arse. That is a firm of security guards.

This is no different to having a body gaurd with a bit of legal knowledge. Stop being such a baby.

They are not police, and do not have any police powers. Just patrolling security staff.

The force, called My Local Bobby, makes citizens arrests and can gather evidence to launch private prosecutions.

So can any member of the public .... sounds like an idiot tax to me ...

It just sounds like a private security company.

Ex cops pandering to the rich and stupid.

Knowledge and Britain's First are two things which should surely never be used in the same sentence unless knowledge is accompanied by lack thereof?

It's frightening in that its Britain's First ie a bunch of jumped up racist, misogynistic thugs and eejits, being paid to 'protect and investigate' possibly innocent citizens but they don't have any more power than any other racist, misogynistic thug. I just don't think it is wise to give them validation or money in this way.

@Frequency

It’s the way the headline is written. It’s not Britain’s First as in the horrible organisation it’s just saying this private police force will be Britain’s First (if I have misunderstood this please advise)

@Frequency did you wake up properly this morning? It means the first in Britain... not Britain First.

Ah, that's a little less disconcerting. Thank you. The link would not open on my phone.

It's a shame we can't give the money to the actual police so they can do their job properly and safely.

The officers, who wear distinctive red caps and bibs, have regularly moved on drug users and drunks from central London neighbourhoods.

Nice. They’re paid muscle. I wonder what authority they have to move other citizens from somewhere they think they shouldn’t be. Can I just manhandle my arsehole neighbour off the street if I call myself a private policeman?

I welcome this tbh. I remember many years ago the Guardian Angels on the London Underground. I always used to sit in their carriage when travelling home late.

Knowledge and Britain's First are two things which should surely never be used in the same sentence unless knowledge is accompanied by lack thereof?

Irony overload

So the rich can afford a private police force and the poor.....?

Can I just manhandle my arsehole neighbour off the street if I call myself a private policeman?

Well they have no more power than you do, in that case.

I look forward to the chain of lawsuits, as someone ends up maimed or killed by one of these rent-a-thugs, and they then try to pass the buck up to their employer for not providing training etc etc.

There's a reason it costs a lot to train and maintain a policeman.

Is anyone else just waiting for "UberPlod" ? or "Polyce" ?

It’s not a private police force ohyoubadkitten. It’s a security firm.

the Guardian Angels on the London Underground.

who were volunteers - not like this lot.

"The officers, who wear distinctive red caps and bibs, have regularly moved on drug users and drunks from central London neighbourhoods."

Well, I hardly think I could get away with that without getting into serious trouble. Even a security firm should only be able to do that off private property.

They aren’t the police and they wouldn’t be the first private force if they were. Port of Dover have had a private force for ages, they are normal police, all the same training, powers and oversight, just privately funded.
This is just a gang of bodyguards/private investigators, I think some of their customers will be disappointed in their powers (or lack of).