A privately funded security initiative proposed by local businessman Peter McCormack launches in Bedford town centre tomorrow (Saturday).
As part of the pilot project, 10 private security guards will be stationed throughout the town to, says Mr McCormack, “support shoppers and local businesses”.
Read: “We’re reclaiming our town” Bedford unites in powerful public meeting on crime and safety
“Positive response”
The Real Bedford football club owner and town centre entrepreneur, who runs Real Coffee and the Auction Room cocktail bar, told the Bedford Independent that he is launching the pilot scheme to make the town “safer and more inviting, especially for women and children”.
“Saturday is the first of five pilot days across the month [of August],” Mr McCormack told the Bedford Independent.
“We will be collecting data on the issues in the town to understand the scale of the problem, and so we know how to fix them.”
Discussing the public response to the scheme, Mr McCormack said, “The response has been overwhelmingly positive with many vocalising support and asking how to help.
“A local cleaning firm has volunteered to manage a team out litter picking on Saturday morning (2 August) and if anyone would like to volunteer to help, please join us at Real Coffee (68 High Street) at 8am. Free coffee will be provided.”
He told the Bedford Independent that he wanted the project to be seen as a positive step to, “reclaim the soul of our town and support local businesses.
“I encourage locals to come into town, mooch in the shops, eat in the restaurants and support the community of Bedford.”
Councillor Lucy Bywater (Castle ward/Green Party) shared some reticence about the project on Facebook, saying “I’m a little concerned about Peter’s private security setting a precedent and causing unintended consequences.
“Police are accountable to us in ways that a private company can’t be…Meanwhile we’ll keep listening and will keep regularly talking to police and to the Community Safety team at Borough Hall.”
“Town centre safety is too important for political stunts”
The announcement of the scheme was greeted with scepticism by the Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard.
Read: Businessman to pilot private security for Bedford town centre, PCC calls it a ‘political stunt’
Ahead of the launch, the PCC has doubled down on his condemnation of the project.
“I have repeatedly expressed my view that policing should be undertaken by an accountable and legitimate police service. This is what happens in a democracy,” said the PCC.
“Such policing can be supplemented by the council employing and deploying its own community enforcement officers.
“There is no place for private security staff accountable to private individuals on the streets.
“Town centre safety is too important for political stunts.
“Bedford town centre is safe and benefiting from our safer streets town centre summer campaign.”
Collaboration
Superintendent Hob Hoque, from Bedfordshire Police, told the Bedford Independent that they had met with Mr McCormack to discuss the pilot scheme.
“Our commitment to working together for Bedfordshire relies on collaborating effectively with those that have a vested interest in the continued improvement of our county,” he said.
“This week, colleagues leading community policing in Bedford met with local business owner Peter McCormack to further discuss his plans to provide private security in the town.
“Our aim is to ensure the safety of all parties and protect the integrity of any criminal investigations that may arise as a result of the work of these plans. We will continue to engage with those involved and respond to any incidents by assessing the threat, risk, and harm presented at the time, while balancing our resources against the broader context of demand across the county.
“It is imperative that we continue to ask the community to report criminal activity to us. Without their reports, we cannot develop an accurate picture of crime in our local areas which in turn may hinder our efforts to address it.
“As part of our commitment to making streets safer over the summer period, we have employed a stronger community policing presence across the county.
“We would encourage local residents to engage with their community officers and utilise their regular events as an opportunity to speak to us and share your concerns and feedback. By signing up to BedsConnected and following our teams on Facebook, residents can receive regular updates on what we’re doing in their area and be notified about upcoming events.”
A spokesperson for Bedford Borough Council and mayor Tom Wootton declined to comment.
Update: This article was updated on 4 August 2025 at 1.43pm. We had erroneously suggested that the PCC had met with Mr McCormack.
