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.

Since real policemen have managed to kill suspects with excessive force, I don't see any reason why pretend police won't have the same problem ... except private policemen are more likely to be people who weren't good enough for the police, so it could happen more so.

Probably best not have a medical incident which causes you to collapse near a private policeman. He'll just kick you to the nearest public street.

I find this worrying because it shows that there is a market for a private company to fill the gap left by the savage cuts to the police.

From reports, the conditions for police officers are very tough in terms of hours, lack of resources and expectations. I have heard that very little proactive policing can be done and it is all reactive. I could go on.

That should ordinary people (not Russian oligarchs) feel the need to pay 200 quid a month for a security service shows how fucked things are.

They are not a police force at all but private security. What makes them unique is that they are actively doing what the safer neighbourhood teams used to do 10 or more years ago. Using existing laws to prevent ASB and gathering evidence.

Eventually wealthier areas will be patrolled almost exclusively by these companies who are profit driven and the only way to make money in private security is to drop salaries. Pay peanuts get monkeys.

Worth pointing out that Theresa May's husband is a major shareholder in a large security firm.

Judge Dredd

The actual police are strapped, they are being pulled in all sorts of directions while numbers have been cut, bureaucracy has been increased. They are becoming reactive as there is less officers on the street, I can understand why some may think this is the answer but it will ultimately increase the workload of the police while the people paying for the service would have unread expectations

The actual police are strapped, they are being pulled in all sorts of directions

How many new criminal offences made it onto the statue books in the past 20 years ? With few being removed.

Bottom line is we get the laws we can afford.

Just as long as G4s don't start doing it!

Yes this fits the tories agenda perfectly - cut funding to public services, leave a gap for the rich to line their pockets by capitalising the opportunity. It's pretty much the same as the NHS sell-off but without the contracts to outsource services.

The officers, who wear distinctive red caps and bibs, have regularly moved on drug users and drunks from central London neighbourhoods.
I wonder how many of these people were homeless? How charming.

They should need to wear bodycams like the usual Met do.

Would there not be some kind of conflict of interest if they are expected to uphold the law but are paid and employed privately by rich people? What happens if they see a poor person being a victim of a crime - do they only serve their overlords?

Would there not be some kind of conflict of interest if they are expected to uphold the law but are paid and employed privately by rich people?
They can't uphold the law any more than you or me.

We looked at something similar on this private estate but it's quite expensive and the risk is that the burglars when they know the person is on the other side of their beat. On who they protect, it just depends. The service we looked at involved a man walking around the estate at particular times. Most people did not want to pay so we did not go ahead but there is nothing to stop a particuloar householder or several doing it together if they want to. We don't really have big issues here so I don't think we need it.

Worth pointing out that Theresa May's husband is a major shareholder in a large security firm.

It could make you weep to realise that it is in the financial interest of the prime minister to make the country less safe. Of course I don't know this and it could just to supposition but the fact that it is even a believable possibility shows you the type of government we have.

Sounds like a crock of shite and actually a bit of an insult to genuine trained and experienced police officers. The actual police service are on their knees because there is no money, less staff and less resources - the government should be putting money where it's needed, back into policing so they can actually do their job properly, and then daft schemes like this wouldn't be dreamed up in the first place.