The businessman behind a controversial pilot to provide private security in Bedford town centre has said he isn’t trying to “talk Bedford down” and that the first weekend of patrols was “overwhelmingly positive.”
Ten private security guards, organised by Peter McCormack as part of his ‘Project Bedford’ manifesto, took to the streets in Bedford town centre on Saturday, 2 August, the first of five weekly patrols as part of the pilot.
Read: Businessman’s privately funded town centre security pilot launches this weekend
Speaking exclusively to the Bedford Independent yesterday, McCormack said that he was nervous before the launch, but “there was a general feeling that the town was safer” as a result of the patrols.
Feels not figures
“My fear was that it would be intimidating,” he said, “But the staff said they were stopped by people all day to say they were glad to see them.
“The town centre is the economic hub of Bedford and must be protected at all costs. The more people who feel safe and encouraged to shop in Bedford will mean there will be more money to improve and solve the problems.
“I love this f**king town and I want this town to win.”
Despite incident logs being shared with the Bedford Independent, no qualitative or quantitative data has been released, so gauging the success of the launch has relied heavily on anecdotal evidence.
According to the data we have seen, 31 incidents were logged, with the majority centring on begging and street drinking.
“Anecdotally, St Peter’s Green was clear of street drinkers for most of the day and the area around Lurke Street car park felt safer,” said McCormack, “Someone having a suspected heart attack or stroke was also helped, which was a great outcome.”
Divided opinion
However, independent shopkeepers in Bedford who spoke with us were divided in their opinions of the project.
“The idea is good, but its execution feels slightly rushed and wrong – it feels a bit hostile rather than welcoming,” said one business owner who preferred not to be named.
“If they were wearing something that said ‘welcome to Bedford’ rather than high viz, and were giving out maps to help people find shops, museums, the river, etc, that might have been more helpful.”
Another said they’d noticed “no discernible difference” and that the security officer who visited their premises even commented they didn’t know Bedford very well, as they were from London.
“I didn’t feel like she understood the ‘hot spots’ or knew who the serial offenders in the town centre are,” said the business owner.
Rosanna Heasman, owner of The Store and co-organiser of the St Cuthbert’s Street Festival, said she felt relieved at the sight of so many personnel in high viz.
“I immediately clocked [the patrols] on my walk to work on Saturday morning, having done that walk two to three times a day for the past six years, I was struck by the amount of high viz I saw.
“To be honest, I felt relieved. Someone was acknowledging the rough sleepers and antisocial activities that I’m normally used to seeing.
“Subconsciously, I do think it makes for a safer atmosphere – seeing people around to help makes you feel like if there was a situation you wouldn’t be on your own.”
Lee McGrath, who runs the Martial Method on Dane Street, described the project as positive, saying, “The security guards themselves seemed to be helpful in ways I hadn’t really thought; directing people, answering queries, generally engaging with people, which overall adds to a safe atmosphere.
“That being said, it’s not reduced the antisocial behaviour, just redirected it elsewhere.”
Boutique Planet’s Jo Lawday said that her perception was that antisocial behaviour was noticeably reduced.
“The visibility of the team created a reassuring atmosphere, and they were friendly and conducted themselves professionally, proactively engaging with businesses and the public,” she told us.
The owner of Cavalier Club Barbershop on the corner of Harpur Street and Lime Street added, “We still had a shoplifter come to our shop trying to sell us stuff, so I didn’t really notice a difference.”
Talking the town down
Ahead of the weekend, a searing article appeared in the Daily Mail after journalist Guy Adams was shown around the town by McCormack.
The Mail’s article drew heavily on McCormack’s drug-taking past, his Bitcoin fortune and a negative perception of Bedford.
In one paragraph, Adams wrote, ‘Another group of undesirables can be found at the bus station, where aggressive begging is the order of the day, while visitors to Bedford’s pedestrianised shopping precinct have to negotiate doorways filled with the belongings of rough sleepers.’
Several Bedfordians contacted the Bedford Independent to complain about the article and McCormack, who they believed were unfairly talking the town down.
The Daily Mail article also included at least one cropped image that did not accurately reflect Bedford.
Following Adams’ words, ‘Several bank branches have closed, together with the once-imposing police station, which has been replaced by a comically tiny ‘community hub’, the Daily Mail carried an image that didn’t include details of the soon-to-open branch of Barclays bank.
Disregarding the dozens of independent shops and businesses in the town centre, the article went on to say, ‘In Bedford, the only businesses which seem to be doing a decent trade are vape stores, takeaways and a large Wetherspoons pub, The Pilgrim’s Progress, where you can buy a pint of Ruddles Best for the bargain price of £1.79.’
Be a radiator, not a drain
McCormack has himself also faced criticism online for describing the town centre in less than complimentary terms, quoted in the article as saying, “No wonder the shops are all closing and the place looks like a s***hole. People who don’t feel safe won’t come and spend their money, will they?
He has now backtracked slightly, telling us, “I recognise that it’s important to speak positively about Bedford and that is something we will aim to do, going forward.
“We do need to be honest about the situation, though. But for people to want to come into the town, we have to give them a reason to visit.”
As if to tackle these criticisms, he’s shifting his focus to working with local people to create events that will draw people into the town and also says the next phase of the project will look at providing support for those in the town centre experiencing homelessness and drug and alcohol issues.
In a post on several local community Facebook groups, he announced that he is hosting another town centre meeting, with the aim of discussing promoting the positive side of Bedford, examining local economics, and encouraging “consciously buying local” campaigns.
Campaigns, such as the Bedford Independent’s #BoughtInBedford, are shining a spotlight on businesses in the town centre and encouraging Bedfordians to shop local.
Read: Bought in Bedford: Share your love of Bedford’s indie businesses and win a £50 voucher
And events such as the hugely successful Bedford Flea and St Cuthbert’s Street Festival demonstrate that plenty of families, shoppers, diners and drinkers back Bedford.
“I hope that more and more people will see that what we’re doing is positive and that they’ll want to get involved,” said McCormack.
“I want as many people as possible to join our movement. Everyone is welcome to Real Coffee at 7pm on Thursday (7 August) to discuss the way we can attract more people into Bedford.
“I’m really pleased with the response to the project so far.”
Bedfordshire Police declined to provide a new comment but had previously told the Bedford Independent that the force will continue to engage with those involved and respond to any incidents by assessing the threat, risk, and harm presented at the time.
They reiterated that residents are encouraged to report any instances of crime or anti-social behaviour to police.
The Police and Crime Commissioner described the initiative as a ‘political stunt’.
Read: Businessman to pilot private security for Bedford town centre, PCC calls it a ‘political stunt’
Update: This article was updated on 6 August 2025 at 11.30am. We included further details of the response from Bedfordshire Police
