Petition opposes police boss's private security plan

A petition has been launched calling for plans to deploy private security patrols in several towns in Leicestershire and Rutland to be dropped.

Leicestershire and Rutland's Reform UK police and crime commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews said he wanted to recruit "street wardens" from security firms in a bid to prevent crimes like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

The petition urges the PCC to use the money - about £2m - set aside for the scheme to employ more police officers.

However, Matthews said he could not commit the funds to long-term police recruitment because the government intends to abolish the PCC role in 2028.

The online petition has so far been signed by more than 170 people.

It raises concerns that the patrols will not have the powers and skills of regular police officers.

Conservative county councillor Ozzy O'Shea, who served as a Leicestershire Police officer for 31 years, is among the people who have signed the petition.

"This is just not the right thing to be doing with police funds," he said.

"Even if the PCC can't recruit police officers in the long run he could give this money to the chief constable to spend on overtime for officers to patrol town centres.

"They have proper training and powers.

"It's a huge amount of money to be handing to private security firms and it could be much better spent by the chief [constable]."

O'Shea called for the proposal to be discussed at a future meeting of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel, which scrutinises Matthews' decisions.

Matthews said he envisaged recruiting between 20 and 30 wardens as part of an 18-month scheme launching later this year or early in 2027.

Coalville, Hinckley, Melton, Oakham, Uppingham, Market Harborough, Ashby and Loughborough, as well as some larger villages, would get patrols, according to the PCC.

"Police recruitment has to be funded for the long-term, not just for a couple of years," Matthews said.

"With PCCs expected to be scrapped in 2028, there is no guarantee funding will exist beyond that point.

"Recruiting officers now, knowing that there is no budget to fund them in the future - and don't forget that police officers cannot be made redundant - would be irresponsible and unfair to those individuals.

"Wardens are not police officers, and they are not intended to replace them."

Matthews said the patrols would prevent crimes while police officers would investigate them "after the fact".

"This is not an untested idea," Matthews said.

"Street wardens have been working in towns across Leicestershire, where they have been warmly welcomed by residents and businesses alike."

Last year two private security guards were employed to patrol Melton town centre as part of a Home Office-funded trial and Charnwood Borough Council has also committed to extending patrols as part of the scheme.

The Leicestershire Police Federation said it opposed the PCC's plans which it argued was privatisation of policing.

Leicestershire Police's Temporary Chief Constable David Sandall said: "It is important any crime prevention initiative is based on informed and reliable research, is evidence-based and data-led.

"The success of any initiative also requires strong partnership work with partners and communities affected to ensure an effective, sustainable and impactive outcome.

"The police and crime commissioner receives all funding into Leicestershire for policing and crime prevention, and any decision on how this is invested is made by the police and crime commissioner."

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.