Plans to employ private security guards to patrol parts of Rubery and Northfield 'as crime deterrent' - The Bromsgrove Standard

Plans to employ private security guards to patrol parts of Rubery and Northfield 'as crime deterrent'

Bromsgrove Editorial 13th Dec, 2018   0

RESIDENTS in the Great Park and Hollymoor areas of Rubery and Northfield could soon be funding private security guards to patrol their neighbourhoods through the night in a bid to cut down on crime.

People expressed concerns at the latest Neighbourhood Policing Tasking Meeting, saying they were fed up with the number of burglaries and other crimes being carried out in the area.

The idea to enlist the help of a private security firm was led by Coun Simon Morrall who represents Frankley, Great Park, on Birmingham City Council.

He told The Standard: “The idea for private security was spearheaded by residents themselves.




“It is not intended to replace the police, but simply to act as a deterrent and a first response before the police arrive.”

He said because of crime rates in some areas, home insurance premiums had spiralled and having the private patrols had the potential to bring them down.


Coun Morrall said he had been working very closely with West Midlands Police on a new strategy to target crime in the area.

“They have increased overnight patrols in the ward and have already witnessed a decrease in crime as a result.”

A Street Watch scheme where volunteers carry out patrols in their local area is also another idea being looked at.

It has already been implemented in other areas of South Birmingham.

“This was all made possible by my intervention, which has opened up the conversation, brought down barriers, and created an real appetite for members of the community to get involved with solving crime in their local area.”

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