Essex County Council, led by Reform UK, has announced plans to spend £150,000 on security guards in response to safety concerns over what it describes as “daily gatherings of asylum seekers”. The move targets town and city centres in Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford.
Security personnel without extra powers
The council said the “operatives” would be introduced to deter anti-social behaviour and reassure residents. However, the personnel will have no more power than other members of the public to take action against crime, and law enforcement will still need to be led by local police.
The decision paper, published on Saturday, acknowledged that “security staff will have no more powers to take any action than a member of the public, and they will need to be visible without intruding upon anyone’s lawful activities”. It added: “Any need for law enforcement will need to be led by Essex Police.”
Wethersfield airbase expansion
Government plans to expand the use of the former RAF airbase Wethersfield to house asylum seekers, some of whom travel to surrounding areas by bus, have been heavily criticised by the local authority. Essex council said there is “anecdotal evidence” that “the presence of this community of asylum seekers creates a fear and perception of a risk of crime”.
The move to deploy trained security personnel could help provide “intelligence” to local authorities and reduce anxieties, the paper said. The cost of £150,000 will be drawn from a community improvement fund for a three-month trial, with further investment required if the plans are extended.
Local opposition and Home Office response
Ministers are facing local opposition to plans to fill 1,245 bedspaces at Wethersfield, up from a cap of 800, after pledging to end the costly use of hotels to house asylum seekers.
Council leader Peter Harris said the induction process at the site was “woefully inadequate”, especially on the introduction to British culture and “expectations we have of acceptable behaviour toward to women and girls”. He added: “Concerns for community safety are clearly there, particularly among women and girls, because of the daily gatherings of asylum seekers – gatherings which will increase in number and size as the facility expands.”
Harris said he had voiced concerns directly to the Home Office, which now runs a fleet of 17 minibuses to the three nearest towns and cities on a daily basis. He questioned whether daily trips are justified given the comprehensive nature of what is provided at Wethersfield, and said he would return to the issue with the Home Office as a matter of urgency. The county council said it is in the process of contracting a security company. The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
