A private policing company could soon be on the streets of Richmond to deter and detect crime and even ensure people can safely get to their front door.

MyLocalBobby is canvassing residents over the possibility of bringing in security patrols to the town, to combat unruly behaviour around Richmond Green and the riverside.

New developments include:

• a new Richmond Green Working Group comprising residents, the council, police and other bodies, has been created to develop and deliver a plan of action to improve the situation.
• Richmond Green & Riverside Newsletter edition 1 was released
• writing in the newsletter, Sgt Scott Brodie reported police crime figures showing the number of violent crimes over the summer were down by 60%

People living in the streets around Richmond Green and Riverside have bemoaned crowds of people getting drunk and urinating in the streets and on their doorsteps for months. As we reported, many have signalled a willingness to pay for extra protection and they have turned to the security firm MyLocalBobby.

The company is run by former Metropolitan Police officers and is currently operating 12 beats around London and Essex, including Belgravia, Mayfair and Kensington. Typically, householders pay a subscription fee of £100-£200 a month.

Co-founder Tony Nash told Richmond Nub News his company can offer residents a 24-hour car based patrol with uniformed officers. Other services are available to businesses.

Mr Nash stressed that the main value of the uniformed patrols is to deter and prevent crime while instilling confidence in residents.

He said: "All the academic research talks about how foot patrol is the one that prevents crime, we're responsive to people but the primary aim is to prevent crime.

"If residents are coming home and are feeling uncomfortable, provided it's in a reasonable distance of where we are, we will go meet them and make sure they get home.

"We link their house alarms to the patrol so they get notifications and a rapid response.

"We also provide an investigation with our parent company, which includes private criminal prosecutions and we're at around 600 now.

"Everyone that's gone through the system has either pleaded guilty or been convicted and those convictions go on to the police national database."

Of the recent canvassing efforts, Mr Nash said: "We've got people out talking to people and there's some groups of residents that we have spoken to. There is some leafletting going on."

Mr Nash could not say how soon a service will be offered or whether the scheme will go ahead at all.

He stressed it depends on whether enough residents and businesses sign up to make it economically viable.

One resident who wanted to remain anonymous said: "The idea is very much alive and I understand will be starting soon."

Problems over the summer

Writing in the Autumn Newsletter of The Richmond Society, president Barry May detailed the problems, saying: "Brazen street dealing in narcotics and supermarket sales of cheap alcohol have made for a toxic situation.

"As restrictions to try to curb the spread of the virus eased, there have been frequent flare-ups of anti-social behaviour and serious disorder."

"Pent-up frustration with lockdown and its consequences have created a perfect storm of discontent."

Will police work with private patrols?

Initially, plans by residents to bring in private security were dashed by both Richmond Borough Council as well as the police themselves.

The Lib Dem council leader, Gareth Roberts, and Richmond's former top police officer, Chief Superintendent Sally Benatar, wrote a letter to residents warning them against bringing in private security officers to patrol the Green and public streets.

It said: "Neither the council nor the police can condone individuals or private companies operating within the margins of the law to act as 'security' in Richmond.

"Private security contractors are NOT permitted to patrol in public areas eg The Green, Riverside or Town Centre."

Subsequently, then Chief Superintendent Benatar softened her stance, saying: "Individuals and businesses are entitled to employ security companies to provide additional safety for themselves or their premises and the Met work closely with these companies.

"If a security company is employed, officers will continue to carry out regular patrols in Richmond and will continue to work closely with partners such as the Business Improvement Districts and local businesses to help keep the area a safe place to live, work and visit. The officers will also assess any information provided by the security firm and act on the information where appropriate."

She said residents should continue raising concerns with their local Safer Neighbourhood Team and to report anti-social behaviour and crime. This can be done on the Met website or by calling the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Mr Nash said MyLocalBobby has held talks with both the council and police about offering a service in Richmond.