Echo survey finds many residents oppose patrol plans

As revealed in yesterday’s Daily Echo, homeowners are being offered the opportunity to pay £3.15 per week or a one-off payment of £163.80 for extra patrols outside their homes and around schools.

Private security firm ATraks says it will provide the patrol officers in a bid to deter criminals.

However, a survey conducted by the Daily Echo found that many residents are opposed to the idea of a private force.

Of the 100 locals surveyed, 82 said that they would not pay for the service.

Residents’ associations across the city were also equally sceptical about the plans.

David Boyce, secretary for Shirley Towers Association of Residents, said that he wouldn’t pay for such a service.

“I don’t think others will want to pay either, they already pay enough in council tax to keep the normal police running.”

Peter Wirgman, chairman of the Southampton Federation of Residents’ Associations, said: “It sounds like there is about as much control over them as there is over wheel clamping firms.

“Although, there is always this gap the police and council patrols don’t seem to be able to fill. The community support officers are off the streets by midnight.”

But ATraks insisted that it had had a great response from the public.

Officers Keith Harding and Dave Maclean said the people they had spoken to about the service yesterday were keen on the idea.

Mr Maclean said: “We have been given positive feedback and are very happy about the service we can provide”.

“We feel that our presence will make people feel reassured. It’s that visual presence that’s missing in the streets these days.”

He also said that the service was not about making money but that, once their expenses have been covered, the firm will put any remaining money “back into the community”.