The UK’s police workforce has returned to near pre-austerity levels after years of cuts that saw the number of community support officers more than halved since 2010
Private security firms may soon take on a larger role in addressing street crime in the UK as police forces grapple with stretched resources, according to Mitie, one of the country’s leading outsourcing companies. Jason Towse, head of Mitie’s corporate security division, revealed that discussions are underway between private security providers and government authorities to explore collaborative solutions to the rising levels of business crime and street violence.
Towse noted that while the Labour government has pledged to bolster police numbers, including Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s promise to recruit 13,000 neighbourhood officers to reclaim town centres from criminal activity, the current police capacity remains strained. “There’s an absolute opportunity for Mitie and other security businesses to step in and address the significant gap in the police response to the overall increase in business crime,” Towse said. He described the emerging trend as “complementary policing,” highlighting how private security firms could provide vital support while newly recruited officers undergo their 18-month vetting and training process.
Collaboration To Address Gaps
The UK’s police workforce has returned to near pre-austerity levels after years of cuts that saw the number of community support officers more than halved since 2010. However, police officials have warned that even with the Labour government’s £1bn increase in funding for police forces in England and Wales, the allocation may not be sufficient to avoid further cuts to services and staffing.
Towse emphasised the importance of collaboration between private security companies and law enforcement, particularly as private firms are already providing critical services such as prison management and assisting frontline forces during emergencies. “Private security and businesses play a huge part in the Labour government’s commitment to taking back the streets. It’s just a case of everyone working together and recognising that another service may take on some policing duties,” Towse added.
Mitie’s Role In Crisis Management
Mitie has already demonstrated its ability to step in during moments of crisis. Last summer, the company deployed its guards to address anti-immigration riots that erupted across the country. During this period, Mitie provided security for 559 mosques, boosting public safety and helping to alleviate police workloads. The company also reported a 13 per cent rise in revenues, reaching £2.4bn in the six months to September 2024.
A government-commissioned report released last month criticised police forces for being “unprepared for the scale of the disorder” during these riots. It urged better planning to improve law enforcement’s capacity to respond to large-scale unrest. “The police can’t mobilise that many people, and that’s where Mitie really does add value,” Towse explained.
Retailers Turning To Private Security
Mitie’s services have also become increasingly important to retailers who are frustrated by limited police response to shoplifting and other forms of business crime. The company provides security and CCTV monitoring to some of the UK’s largest retailers, helping them safeguard their operations amid ongoing concerns about insufficient police presence.
As discussions continue, the role of private security firms in the broader law enforcement ecosystem is expected to expand. While this raises questions about the division of responsibilities between public and private sectors, the collaboration could provide immediate relief to strained police forces and contribute to improving public safety in the UK.
