Scrutiny meeting called over £150k Colchester security pilot

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 05:31 · Archive

Essex County Council will scrutinise Operation Vanguard, a £150,000 security pilot deploying privately contracted officers in three towns.

Essex County Council will scrutinise Operation Vanguard, a three-month security pilot launched in September, at a Crime and Disorder Committee meeting on Tuesday evening. The scheme deploys privately contracted security officers across Colchester, Braintree and Chelmsford in response to concerns about asylum seekers travelling from Wethersfield asylum centre into nearby town centres.

Russell Quirk, deputy leader of Essex County Council, has pledged full transparency ahead of the meeting. He said: "We've got nothing to hide in terms of what we've done and why we've done it" and committed to answering any question raised. He described transparency and accountability as priorities for the county council.

The £150,000 scheme has divided public and political opinion. Green Party councillor Kemal Cufoglu criticised the cost, arguing the funds would be better spent on essential services. Members of the public have questioned its value, noting that the five security officers deployed have no enforcement powers. Colchester Council recently passed a motion criticising the lack of consultation before the scheme launched and the absence of evidence linking asylum seekers to increased city-centre crime. The motion also noted that existing city-centre wardens have more authority than Operation Vanguard officers. Mr Quirk defended the scheme, pointing to what he called early successes.

How it is being reported

• Councillor vows transparency at meeting over £150k Operation Vanguard trialDeputy Essex County council leader Russell Quirk vows transparency as a Colchester scrutiny meeting will examine the £150,000 Operation Vanguard security pilot amid criticism.Echo (Basildon) · 19 Oct, 05:00
• Councillor vows transparency at meeting over £150k Operation Vanguard trialDeputy Essex County council leader Russell Quirk vows transparency as a Colchester scrutiny meeting will examine the £150,000 Operation Vanguard security pilot amid criticism.Brentwood Guardian · 19 Oct, 05:00
• Councillor vows transparency at meeting over £150k Operation Vanguard trialDeputy Essex County council leader Russell Quirk vows transparency as a Colchester scrutiny meeting will examine the £150,000 Operation Vanguard security pilot amid criticism.Colchester Gazette · 19 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Russell Quirk · Essex County Council · Kemal Cufoglu · Colchester · Braintree · Chelmsford · Wethersfield

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