Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he is “really pleased” with Operation Vanguard, which he believes has “become bigger” than originally intended despite criticism.
Clacton MP Nigel Farage visited Essex County Council on Thursday morning to meet council leader Peter Harris.
They discussed several issues, focusing mainly on Operation Vanguard, a three-month pilot deploying security officers in Colchester, Braintree and Chelmsford.
The scheme was launched after public concerns about asylum seekers housed at Wethersfield Asylum Centre.
Mr Farage and council leaders also joined three Operation Vanguard officers on a walk along the High Street.
Speaking exclusively to the Gazette, Mr Farage praised the scheme, which launched last month. He said: “I know it started off with citizens’ concern in Colchester, Braintree, Chelmsford, about minibuses of young males being bussed into the town every day.
“That is how it started and it is valid, but it has turned into something far more significant.
“Looking at the stats, the number of shoplifters they have stopped, the street crime they have stopped, one serious sexual assault has been stopped.
“It has now become bigger than just Wethersfield; it is actually about day-to-day high street policing.
“If the police don’t want to pursue shoplifters, we will.
Read more
-
Colchester's old Odeon has just over four months left to start hotel transformation
-
Colchester councillor claims Operation Vanguard is 'siphoning £150k' from budgets
-
Anti-illegal migration protest met by counter-demonstration and police line
“I’m really pleased [with it]. We’ve looked at the public sentiment, we’ve asked for public reaction online to it.
“It’s overwhelming: 84 per cent of the public think it is great.
“There was a bit of worry at first — what exactly does it mean? So there was some trepidation from local people, but not anymore.
“They know it is making the place safer, and I think the shops are delighted we are here.”
During the 20-minute walk, one passer-by shouted, “Stop the boats, Nigel,” while another swore at him. Others asked for photos with the Reform leader.
Operation Vanguard has drawn both support and criticism from the public.
Colchester councillors are also due to scrutinise Operation Vanguard next week at a Crime and Disorder Committee meeting.
Green Party councillor Kemal Cufoglu recently accused Essex County Council of diverting the £150,000 worth of funding for Operation Vanguard from essential services and claimed it could be used better elsewhere.
Some members of the public claim the security officers are pointless because they have no special powers when they encounter crime on patrol.
Answering the criticism, Mr Farage said: “What could be better use than making voters in the county feel safer on the streets? Please tell me, I’m all ears.
“They do have powers: they have the power of citizens’ arrest, as any of us have.
“I think they are slightly better equipped to do it than maybe you or I.”
Asked whether he wanted the operation to continue in all three locations after the trial ends in December, Mr Farage gave no direct answer.
“That’s partly why I’m here, I’ve come to look at it," he said.
“But from what I can see so far, it is very good.
“I will leave Peter Harris and the cabinet to make those decisions.
“You can probably tell from my tone how I feel about it.”
The Gazette also asked about a recent ITV News investigation that found Reform UK councillors and candidates had used racist language, calling Muslims ‘parasites’ and describing black children ‘as animals’.
Mr Farage has previously said some ‘bad apples’ will slip through the vetting process, but has outlined what will happen if it happens again.
“People who say horrible things won’t be there,” Mr Farage said.
He added: “It’s interesting, isn’t it? The worst of them — the one that everyone is focusing on nationally — is a long-time Conservative councillor who joined us last year.
“He was never under investigation as a Conservative, was he? And he never would be — nor would Labour, nor the Liberal Democrats.”
“You can see what is happening here, it is the establishment.
“If you interview 1,000 people and try to provoke a few of them after a drink, you are going to get all sorts of comments.
“I’m not defending it, but I’m just saying we are being subjected to a completely different level of scrutiny than anybody else ever has been in the history of politics.”
Share