Private Security in London may replace some Police roles at Parliament

Security is paramount for highly-important locations, especially in a country’s seats of power. Rebecca Keating of BBC News reports:

“Police officers could be replaced by private guards to cover some aspects of security at the Houses of Parliament. The Metropolitan Police force currently provides all security services for the Commons and the Lords. In a cost-saving move, airport-style security checks at the entrances will be put to tender – although the Met will still provide armed officers. But parliamentary officials said there would be no downgrading of security as a result of any changes.”

The development may be met with mixed reactions amongst private and public officials, especially in an internationally-important place such as London, England. The city is already smarting from a recent scare near the Bank of England, and memories are still fresh of unnecessary military mobilisations to compensate for gaps in the 2012 London Olympics’ security. Labour MP Barry Sheerman said he was concerned that private security companies in London would rely on agency staff. Westminster Security recruit, train and supply former British Armed Forces veterans and former Police officers for private security in London and throughout the UK, they would be high on the list of preferred contractors to bid for the tender.

A panel of security experts, MPs, and peers recommended the change in personnel as part of efforts to save more from the Parliament’s annual security budget, which stands at £24 million this year. Scotland Yard currently handles the screening work, but its contract is slated to expire in April, 2015. The tender is scheduled to be opened within a short period after. Guarding the entry points goes a long way to stopping potential threats, even when roving personnel are on the premises. In the case of Parliament, officers manning the public entrances have reported confiscating imitation weapons, knuckle dusters, and illegal substances such as cannabis. The same is true of security operatives finding unauthorised materials among retail patrons or event guests. It is unclear how the change will affect security for the lawmakers, even those who may be provided close protection by London security companies like Westminster Security. Sheerman said some MPs and their staff lamented a failure of Commons authorities to consult them about the development. Commons Speaker John Bercow would not even consider discussing the issue on the chamber floor.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/private-security-in-london-may-replace-some-police-roles-at-parliament/