Basildon private security teams to patrol town centre

Thanks to a £366,653 contract extension, the community safety warden scheme will now be expanded after it was first introduced in April 2022.

As things stand, All in Black provide security and carry out patrols in parks.

However, a new contract has been given to the Stambridge Group which will expand the patrols to cover high streets and town centres.

Basildon Council bosses are certain this will have a huge impact in disrupting low level crime, anti-social behaviour, and drug use.

Andrew Baggott, Basildon Council leader, said: “We had All in Black but their contract was to cover the parks and when reviewing the contract, I asked if they could not take what they do in the parks to the estates and the high streets and the town centre.

“They will be more visible and have a bigger impact.

“What I want is for them to be on the problem estates and disrupt drug dealers but we needed to think about how we make this value for money and make it more fit for purpose.

“With the intelligence that we have and some fine tuning, to target busier and more active times of week, this could be really successful.

“On top of this we have received additional funding which lets us continue to patrol the operation Minerva zones to support young women and girls at risk.”

Mr Baggott added that the community wardens will be on call and can be tailored to the council’s need to ensure they can be moved to the areas where they are needed most.

He said: “Where they have patrols in Wickford, people would ask us what the point is.

“They will have more designated areas and will be more high profile, they will be in high streets and town centres where they can be seen, and they will be plugged into police intel so they can be more responsive.”

Mr Baggott praised the accomplishments of the community wardens in past years, where they have helped assist police in missing persons cases and helped instil confidence.