Port of Tilbury-Police Constable

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Metropolitan Commissioner Cressida Dick admits the retail sector is increasingly suffering due to crime levels and says she is "grateful" for the services of private security companies.

Date - 6th February 2020
By - Chloe Livadeas

Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Cressida Dick, said the use of services provided by private security companies was a “positive thing”.

At the London Assembly Crime and Committee Q&A at City Hall, an assembly member asked the Commissioner’s opinion on the link between growth in public dissatisfaction with the force and a spike in the use of private security services.

The Commissioner disputed that there had been an “explosion” in public use of private services as a member of the assembly suggested and said she was not aware of an increase in demand, but admitted the force did not have a formal relationship with these companies.

She said: “It has been throughout the time I’ve been policing that certain places, people and events have wanted to use extra, private security.”

She did say however that she was “always concerned” that Londoners feel less safe than they did before.

She said: “I see it as a positive thing. We cannot be everywhere and doing everything at once. I am really grateful that other people are there instead.”

But she also said: “They cannot and should not take over our core functions.”

The Commissioner said she was “unashamed” for instance that the public sometimes volunteer with the police and work in other ways to reduce crime.

BBC Radio 4 World at One reported at the end of January that city centre businesses, particularly retailers, say cuts in policng mean they have been abandoned by officers as they focus on ‘high harm’ crime.

Shop owners across the UK say break-ins, aggressive begging, antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and assaults are out of control due to a lack of response from officers to these more low level crimes.

The Commissioner said: “I am fully aware the retail sector up and down the country have been suffering more antisocial behaviour and more violence, and more have had to put more private security on. That is not the way I want the world to be.”

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[SOP + 21]

Local business need to take responsibility and ensure they have adequate security staff. They are more than happy to open for trade and make money, but don't want to pay to keep their own staff safe.

 

[Zulu 22 + 4,575]

10 hours ago, SOP said:

Local business need to take responsibility and ensure they have adequate security staff. They are more than happy to open for trade and make money, but don't want to pay to keep their own staff safe.

 

Do they pay their taxes and Council Tax. If so, why if they are not protected.