'Extra eyes and ears' to help city centre policing

SIX NEW SECURITY OFFICERS WILL TACKLE LOW-LEVEL CRIME

- By LOUIS CORBETT

SIX new Government-funded security guards are set to patrol the city centre under a new scheme to tackle low-level crime.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA)-licensed “security officers” will be deployed to hotspot areas on Fridays and Saturday evenings.

The scheme aims to tackle low-level disruption and antisocial behaviour including the use of e-scooters and e-bikes and work with local partners to offer reassurance through visibility and presence.

Equipped with body-worn cameras, the new officers will be in constant contact with Nottinghamshire Police.

Funded through the Police and Crime Commissioner, they do not have police powers, however.

In the UK, SIA-licensed guards are allowed to remove people from private property, carry out citizen’s arrests if they witness a crime, call the police, and officially observe suspicious behaviour.