Shomrim rejects police chief’s claims over cars and uniforms
THE SECURITY group Shomrim has rejected the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s view that its volunteers should not drive marked cars or wear uniforms similar to those of the police.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said earlier this month that he would prefer it if Shomrim guards did not resemble his officers.
But Gary Ost, chief executive of the Shomrim Community Patrol in Golders Green, north-west London, rejected Sir Bernard’s suggestion he was in discussion with the Jewish group over the matter.
Mr Ost said: “The commissioner has not made any contact and no discussions have been brought to our attention to date.
“Our uniforms look nothing like the police and are marked from every angle with clear wording saying ‘Shomrim’.”
While praising the group’s work during a speech at the Chief Rabbi’s annual conference a fortnight ago, Sir Bernard had said: “I have to be frank; I would like them not to look like police officers.”
He added: “We are having a discussion about that and I’m sure we will get to a positive resolution.”
Mr Ost said the markings on Shomrim’s patrol vehicles complied with l e g i s l a - tion.
“Many p r i v a t e s e c u r i t y Shomrim volunteers at this week’s community safety day in east London. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe believes that their uniforms closely resemble those worn by his own officers companies across the UK choose to use these legal markings on their company vehicles to deter burglars,” he said. He challenged the Commissioner to “c o me a nd s e e t h e v e h i c l e and how Shomrim o per a t e s A Shomrim patrol car for himself”.
Mr Ost said the closure of Golders Green Police Station in 2013 had reduced the presence of police cars and officers in the area.
He said: “Our vehicle may look similar to the look of a police vehicle, but we believe that as it drives around during the day and night it acts as an active deterrent to those who may wish to commit crime.”
At an event hosted by the Stamford Hill branch of Shomrim on Monday, a spokesman said: “We don’t drive marked cars like they do in Golders Green, but our uniform is clearly different from the police. I don’t think it confuses people.”
Thousands turned out for the special “community safety day” on Clapton Common, organised by the group and attended by senior officers from Scotland Yard.
Police showed off riot gear, radios and bomb-disposal equipment, alongside Shomrim and colleagues from London ambulance and fire brigade teams.