The wider policing family is once more under the spotlight following a BBC Radio 4 programme entitled ‘Changing The Guards', writes Mick Lee. The programme included a Case Study on the use of residential patrols at the Berry Brow Estate in Huddersfield, setting this within the context of private sector regulation and the evolution of the wider policing family.

An important issue raised by the programme was the contribution that a trained and professional security industry can make to the general public. The use of private security officers at the Berry Brow Estate has led to a significant reduction in levels of crime and fear of crime. In turn, this has resulted in a number of very real benefits for residents who had suffered the effects of anti-social behaviour.

The relationship between the police and the private security industry has many implications for the success of the wider policing family. The BSIA has always asserted that the security industry can provide a useful support function by taking on lower level roles such as dealing with littering, trespass and graffiti. However, it is vitally important that such roles are very clearly defined, activity is totally transparent and that private sector security companies are fully accountable.

Concern was expressed about these very issues during the Radio 4 programme, with both the Police Federation and the Human Rights organisation Liberty asserting that accountability is a major issue. We agree.

Our position on the matter is simple. We can work with the police service, and we can work for the police service, but we can never replace it.

Source

SMT

Postscript

Mick Lee is chairman of the BSIA's Police and Public Services Section

The BSIA's Police and Public Services Section member companies offer a variety of different services including bail reporting, custody services, prisoner management and prisoner escort services. Further information is available on the Internet at: www.bsia.co.uk/pps