Essex County Council, led by Reform UK, has initiated a three-month trial deploying six private security guards in the town centers of Braintree, Colchester, and Chelmsford. The initiative, named Operation Vanguard, aims to address resident concerns about gatherings of male migrants and reports of intimidation, including wolf-whistling at schoolgirls.
The deployment, which began on Monday, will see security operatives patrolling from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. The move follows government plans to increase the capacity of the Wethersfield former RAF airbase, the largest asylum seeker accommodation site in Britain, from 800 to 1,245 individuals. Migrants from this base frequently travel to surrounding towns by bus.
Reform UK stated that Operation Vanguard is a direct response to local residents' concerns, particularly regarding women and girls feeling intimidated in town centers. Residents have described scenes of migrants arriving by bus, sometimes masked, and congregating near bus stations and cash machines. One resident noted that his wife and her friends avoid the town center on certain days due to the perceived intimidating environment.
The cost of the security patrols is approximately £118,000 plus VAT, to be funded from a community improvement fund. The guards are tasked with deterring anti-social behavior, providing reassurance to residents, and gathering evidence on the need for further support.
Councillor Peter Harris, leader of Essex County Council, emphasized that the initiative prioritizes the safety of Essex residents. He has previously described the Wethersfield accommodation site as a "holiday camp," citing its amenities and noting concerns about migrant behavior.
However, the decision has drawn criticism from opposing councilors. Labour county councilor Lee Scordis argued that the move is "clearly driven by prejudice" and that council reports and police data indicate no rise in crime linked to asylum seekers in Colchester. He questioned the basis for the decision and whether police had been consulted.
Critics also point out that private security guards typically have no more authority than ordinary citizens, and law enforcement would still rely on the police. A council report itself acknowledges that while the Home Office claims no direct impact on crime levels from the Wethersfield site, there is "anecdotal evidence" that the presence of asylum seekers creates a "fear and perception of a risk of crime."
Liberal Democrat councilor Stephen Robinson, leader of Chelmsford City Council, criticized Reform UK for "stoking fear and stirring up stereotypes." He advocated for effective policing and community projects rather than what he termed "ineffective, private security."
A Home Office spokesperson stated that public safety is a priority and that they work with local police to ensure community safety. The spokesperson added that concerns from communities are central to immigration reforms aimed at housing asylum seekers and moving them into alternative accommodations.