PRIVATE security guards are to patrol several UK towns after “gatherings of male migrants” from a nearby accommodation centre reportedly raised concerns.
The Reform-led council said six “operatives” will patrol Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford seven days a week.
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Essex County Council said this was a direct response to residents’ concerns about “anti-social behaviour” from the asylum seekers who are frequently bussed into the town centres.
The “security operatives” will be on the streets from 10am – 6pm as part of a three-month trial.
The initiative, titled Operation Vanguard, is funded through a drawdown of up to £150,000 from a community improvement fund, the party said, with the three-month trial expected to cost about £118,000 plus VAT.
Essex Police Chief Constable Rachel Nolan previously said crime linked to the nearby accommodation centre was “very low”.
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She added: “Certainly as far as I’ve seen there is absolutely no reason for anyone to be concerned about criminality associated with migrants from the Wethersfield camp in Essex.”
This comes after the Government said it was looking to expand the use of the nearby former RAF airbase.
The Home Office said it would increase the site’s capacity from 800 to 1,245, and will remain operational beyond 2027.
According to Reform UK, the initiative came as a “direct response to concerns raised amongst local residents, particularly women and girls, over gatherings of male migrants in town centres”.
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Reform UK leader of Essex County Council, Peter Harris, said: “Today, Operation Vanguard moves from words to action.
“Six trained security guards, two each in Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester, will provide a visible and reassuring presence on our streets, particularly for women and children.
“Our message is simple: the safety of Essex residents comes first.”
Reform UK said the initiative will “deter anti-social behaviour”, provide “reassurance” to residents and “gather evidence” about whether additional support may be required.
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It has faced criticism by local politicians, including Labour county councillor Lee Scordis.
He told the Press Association: “The council’s own report and the police tell us there is no evidence of any rise in crime from asylum seekers in Colchester.
“This decision is clearly driven by prejudice. We have no answers over what they will do, the powers they will have and even if the council has consulted the police on this.”
A council report titled Launch of Operation Vanguard says the Home Office says “there is no evidence of Wethersfield AAA (Airfield Asylum Accommodation) having an impact on crime levels”.
It then says: “Regardless of this there is anecdotal evidence – which the Home Office has publicly acknowledged – that the presence of this community of asylum seekers creates a fear and perception of a risk of crime.”
Private security guards generally have no more power than other members of the public to take any action against crime, and so law enforcement will still need to be led by police.
While security guards will work primarily in the areas where the migrants are dropped off, they will assist with other security issues if it becomes necessary, a spokesperson said.
Liberal Democrat councillor Stephen Robinson, leader of Chelmsford City Council, said: “We need to make sure our communities are safe and cohesive, but stoking fear and stirring up stereotypes about asylum seekers, which is what Reform UK is doing, will not achieve that.
“We need effective policing, wherever crime and anti-social behaviour occurs, and investment in projects that really make a difference like Liberal Democrat-led Chelmsford City Council’s Women’s Safety Charter… not ineffective, private security.”
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A Home Office spokesperson said: “Public safety remains our first priority and we expect any criminality to be taken seriously. We work with local police to ensure the safety and security of local communities around the site, the staff who work there and those accommodated.
“The concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms. We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country, close every asylum hotel and move asylum seekers into alternative accommodation including former military sites.”