Private security guards will begin patrolling three Essex town centres from Monday as part of a three-month trial aimed at addressing resident concerns about gatherings of asylum seekers in public spaces. Reform UK-led Essex County Council confirmed that six trained and uniformed security operatives will work in Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford seven days a week between 10:00 and 18:00 under an initiative called Operation Vanguard.
The scheme comes as the government prepares to expand the population at MDP Wethersfield, a former RAF airfield that has accommodated single male migrants since July 2023, from approximately 800 residents to 1,220. According to reporting from August 2026, the site operates a 24-hour security presence on-site and runs shuttle buses multiple times daily to the three town centres where the new patrols will operate.
Essex County Council leader Peter Harris stated that the security guards would "provide a visible and reassuring presence on our streets, particularly for women and children," emphasising that "the safety of Essex residents comes first." The council said the trial was "a direct response to concerns raised amongst local residents—particularly women and girls—over gatherings of male migrants in town centres who were regularly transported in by bus from the former military airfield to spend their free time."
The initiative intends to deter anti-social behaviour, provide reassurance to residents and businesses, and gather evidence about whether additional support may be required, according to a council spokesperson. The local authority will fund the operation by drawing down £150,000 from the "community innovation and improvement fund," with no additional cost to taxpayers or increase in council tax.
What does police data show about crime at the site?
Essex Police chief constable Rachel Nolan contradicted the council's framing by stating that crime linked to the large asylum accommodation in the county was "very low." Speaking to a local broadcaster, Nolan said:
Crimes and incidents associated with the Wethersfield site are very low. Certainly, as far as I've seen, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to be concerned about criminality associated with migrants from the Wethersfield camp in Essex.
Research supports this assessment. According to analysis by the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, foreign nationals in England and Wales are convicted at roughly the same rate as British nationals. The government does not record criminal offences by immigration status, limiting the availability of site-specific data.
What are the concerns about the patrol scheme?
Opposition councillors have raised questions about the effectiveness and potential consequences of deploying private security rather than relying on established policing arrangements. David King, a senior Liberal Democrat county councillor, previously said the scheme "risks divisions and community tension," adding that
it could only work if the security officers integrated with already established arrangements. They won't know the place, they won't know the people, they won't be connected up.
Chelmsford City Council leader Stephen Robinson, who heads the Liberal Democrat-run authority, stated:
I think it's really important that we don't create division and that policing is carried out by the police.Conservative county councillor Lee Scott took a more cautious stance, saying:
We're not opposing it, but we are in the future looking at it to see if it's succeeding and making people feel safe.
What is the background to asylum accommodation at Wethersfield?
The Wethersfield site was created under a special development order for asylum accommodation at the former RAF airfield. According to the Helen Bamber Foundation, the Home Office extended Wethersfield's use for a further three years in March 2024, having initially proposed the site as temporary accommodation for just 12 months. The site was originally scheduled to close in 2027 before its use was extended.
The expansion of Wethersfield reflects a broader government strategy. The Home Office updated its Wethersfield factsheet on 26 August 2026, confirming continued coordination with Essex Police and local authorities to manage the site and reduce impact on the community. This follows the Home Office's broader plans to house asylum seekers on former military bases as part of immigration reforms.
What happens next with the patrol trial?
The three-month Operation Vanguard patrol trial was due to begin on Monday following the council's announcement. However, as of 2 September 2026, the contract for the security patrols had still not been awarded, raising questions about the timeline for implementation. The council will monitor the scheme's effectiveness in reassuring residents and businesses during the trial period.
The initiative reflects tensions between local concerns about asylum accommodation and official data suggesting that crime associated with such sites remains low. The outcome of the three-month trial will likely influence whether Essex County Council pursues similar measures elsewhere or expands the scheme beyond the trial period.
