Security patrol officers face accusations of abusing power in Essex towns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

Private security guards patrolling three Essex towns have been accused of abusing their power by handcuffing teenagers.

Private security guards hired by Essex County Council to patrol three towns have faced accusations of abusing their power. The guards, employed by security firm My Local Bobby, allegedly handcuffed two female teenagers in a city centre incident concerning alleged shoplifting. A complaint of assault was made to Colchester City Council, with Labour councillor Tim Young telling a meeting the guards had 'abused' their power. Essex Police recorded two offences of assault without injury and passed 'learning requirements' to the security firm regarding handcuffing techniques.

Operation Vanguard is a three-month trial involving two security officers patrolling Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsfield from 10am to 6pm daily, at a total cost of £144,000. The trial runs until December, after which council leaders will decide whether to make the measures permanent. Essex County Council, run by Reform UK, said the officers were brought in to address public concerns about asylum seekers transported from nearby Wethersfield Immigration Centre to these towns three times daily.

My Local Bobby's managing director David McKelvey said the guards had done their job catching shoplifters and there was no complaint from the teenagers involved. Essex County Council maintained no crime was committed. Councillors have requested data the authority used to justify the rollout, citing concerns the scheme responded to 'social media disquiet' rather than solid evidence. County Hall's deputy leader Russell Quirk said 1,000 people from each town were surveyed about their concerns regarding migrants.

How it is being reported

• Security patrol 'abused power', council toldEssex County Council says no crime was committed by the guards, hired as part of Operation Vanguard.BBC Essex · 22 Oct, 06:30
• Council to request data County Hall used to justify Operation Vanguard rolloutThe Crime and Disorder Committee met on Tuesday to discuss whether Essex County Council’s Operation Vanguard.Colchester Gazette · 22 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Essex County Council · My Local Bobby · Colchester · Braintree · Chelmsford · Wethersfield Immigration Centre · Russell Quirk · Nigel Farage

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