Reform Council Deploys Private Security for Town Centres

Private security guards have begun patrolling three Essex town centres under a new Reform-led initiative, according to GB News. The deployment comes in response to local concerns regarding resident migrants from a nearby asylum seeker facility.

Essex County Council has deployed six security operatives to patrol Braintree, Chelmsford and Colchester for an initial three-month trial dubbed Operation Vanguard. Two guards are assigned to each location, working daily between 10am and 6pm to provide a visible presence on high streets.

The security measure follows the Government’s confirmation that the Wethersfield asylum accommodation site will expand its capacity from 800 to 1,245 residents, with minibuses regularly transporting individuals into neighbouring towns. Local communities, particularly women and girls, have raised concerns about public safety and anti-social behaviour.

Peter Harris, leader of Essex County Council, defended the deployment in a statement reported by GB News. He declared:

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.

— Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, GB News

• Six private operatives deployed across three Essex towns
• Three-month trial funded through a community improvement fund
• Wethersfield asylum site capacity expanding to 1,245 residents
• Guards licensed by the Security Industry Authority without police enforcement powers

The initiative has drawn criticism from opposition councillors and community groups who argue that local crime figures show no significant rise linked to the asylum facility. Critics suggest the trial could exacerbate community tensions, though the council maintains the scheme is designed to proactively address public reassurance and monitor local impacts.

Original source: Read the full report at GB News