Crime Commissioner asked to launch investigation into security force issue
Ollie Cowan A MEMBER of the Merseyside Police Panel is calling on Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy to launch an investigation into the issue of a private security force coming to Southport. Councillor Simon Shaw, who represents Birkdale as well as the town s presence within the Merseyside Police umbrella, has raised serious concerns over the ongoing anonymity of a mystery police officer who a fellow councillor insists greenlit plans for Battle Investigations Security firm to come into town and crack down on anti social behaviour.
He was written to the Commissioner, Jane Kennedy, asking her to ensure that Merseyside Police investigate to establish who is telling the truth here. At last week s meeting Cllr Barton read out a prepared statement in which he claimed that Merseyside Police had sent out a detective from head office who allegedly told him that there is no issue with adopting this approach. However Cllr David Barton, in an effort to protect his source, said it was too soon and there was no need for him to reveal the identity of the officer in question, despite repeated attempts for him to do so.
Cllr Shaw condemned the secrecy, saying: Cllr Barton s claims about what this secret policeman said are highly dubious. As he is implying that someone in the police is not telling the truth, I think it is essential that his claims are fully investigated. In particular I am concerned about his bizarre jibe addressed to the local police inspectors who attended the Area Committee when he said if you don’t know about it, maybe there’s a reason why not .
That s why I have written to Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy, advising her of the facts and asking her to ensure that Merseyside Police investigate who, exactly, is telling the truth here. Councillor Barton stated during the meeting: I have read Merseyside Police’s and Southport BID’s comments where it is claimed that they knew nothing about security patrols. I can inform you however that the Force did send out a detective from head office – if you don’t know about it, maybe there’s a reason why not – I can however assure you that discussion was had on this very matter.
The reply I received was that there is no issue with adopting this approach to tackling anti-social behaviour and that anyone can have a security firm on the proviso that they are fully vetted and licensed. It would be inappropriate at this time to disclose that officer’s name; it is not the time to discuss a private conversation of an operational nature. It is strictly speaking a contract between local businesses and the security firm.
And the response to Southport BID: with all due respect, sir, you have had over 18 months to deal with this issue of anti-social behaviour.