PRIVATE PATROLS COULD BE COMING NORTH
being jai led. Former Met commander and co-founder of MLB Tony Nash, 55, said his firm was expanding into the northeast and north-west of England f rom it s L ondon heartland. He said Scotland was the logical next step to their growth.
Nash added: “While Scotland has a different legal system, it still supports an evidence-based security patrol which works with the right tie-ins with the community.
“We’ve been approached by a residential group in one of Scotland’sScotland main cities who were concernedconcer about anti-social behaviourbeha at night going uncheckedunc near the city centre.cen It’s similar to the inquiriesin we field across theth UK.
“This was only at the inquiryinq stage but we’re willingwil to work where the communitycom wants us. We have an ability to expand and are keen to do so in places like
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Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh.” The service sees “officers” hired out to customers who pay a subscription of up to £200 a month.
In return, locals get uniformed patrols, urgent responses to emergencies and alarms and direct contact with the firm.
The service was set up by Nash and David McKelvey, a former detective chief inspector with the Met.
Nash said: “Regardless of where you are in the UK, the impact of modern pol icing coupled with budgetar y restraints has created this storm where you don’t have the frontline service anymore and that’s where MLB comes in. Police forces have too much on to patrol the streets.” Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr said: “The SNP has failed to support Police Scotland since its creation in 2013.
“The c on s e quenc e of that neglect is that some communities are suggesting they need extra help to keep them safe.”
Policing expert Professor Stuart Lister, of Leeds University said: “We’re seeing a growth in these sort of schemes after a decade of austerity has led to a fall in visible police presence on our streets.”
Assistant chief constable Steve Johnson, said: “Police Scotland takes all reports of antisocial behaviour seriously and we recognise its impact on those living in our communities.”
Commun ities are suggesti ng they need extra help to stay safe