Primrose Hill pays for own peacekeepers

ThereE are few more agreeable places than Primrose Hill. Its grassy slopes are a favourite haunt of children and dogs, kiteflyers love it, and from the summit all of central London can be seen. On a spring evening the air is filled with birdsong and the pretty streets below bustle as the cafes and bars begin to fill.

To this scene we must now add the fluorescent jackets and walkie-talkie radios of men on vigilance patrols.

Primrose Hill has gone private in an effort to keep out crime. The streets, where celebrities such as Rachel Weisz, Ben Elton and Sol Campbell live, are now stalked by well-built men with badges identifying them as community guards. They have come from some of the world's toughest police forces and military organisations. Many are veterans of campaigns in the Middle East, South Africa, Northern Ireland and eastern Europe, trained to deal with violent criminals.

A 16th-century seer, Mother Shipton, warned that when London surrounded Primrose Hill the streets would run with blood. Well, it hasn't come to that, but this enclave, long favoured by writers and artists, has been the scene of ugly crime.

Richard Harrington, 44, and his wife, Jessie, 43, came home after an evening out to be ambushed by three masked men armed with machetes and clubs. They were forced into their house in Lower Merton Rise with their two children and marched from room to room at knifepoint. They were ordered to hand over money and valuables, an experience which Mr Harrington said left the family traumatised.

He was determined it would not happen again. He talked to other residents and found a high level of anxiety about crime. Many said they would be keen to employ private watchmen to patrol the streets. He began a plan to raise money for patrols.

People were keen to pay up and a contribution of £1,000 a year was met by a large number of volunteer households.

Local resident Jonny Bucknell, 44, said the need for private security guards had come as a shock. Estates manager Mr Bucknell said: "Primrose Hill had always been such a quiet, safe area, so it had a huge impact when crimes started taking place here. On one night alone we had three cars set on fire.

"People have hired private security because they feel it is necessary, which is a rather sad state of affairs."

"The patrols give people a feeling of confidence," said Mr Harrington. "I must stress that the police have been excellent, but they just don't have the people on the ground."

This conclusion is being drawn all over London. Scotland Yard says there are around 100 community guard schemes. Neighbourhood patrols are the fastestgrowing part of the security business.

Paul Levine, director of Apal Security Consultants, devised the arrangements for Primrose Hill. He said: "We're not vigilantes and we're not here to replace the police. Our job is to provide reassurance and make this a no-go area for criminals."

Primrose Hill is following an example set in South Kensington, Chelsea and Hampstead Garden Suburb. Anti-crime patrols began five years ago when Jewish communities used them to combat the threats of anti-Semitism and terrorism. They caught on quickly, and according to Mr Levine demand is so great that his company does not need to advertise. He said all his guards undergo strict vetting, with former Army personnel often favoured because of their training and discipline: "We employ skilled people, who can remain calm and diffuse potentially tricky situations."

Mr Levine's men could be intimidating if they wanted to be. Among the guards on Primrose Hill are ex-soldiers from the Israeli, South African, Russian, Ukrainian and British military. Juan, 22, worked in security in South Africa before coming to the UK. He said: "Johannesburg is a very dangerous city. There are problems with gangs, violence and guns, so private security firms are common. It's sad that this sort of service is now needed in London."

The guards offer a "meet-and-greet" service-on the streets they patrol. If residents return home late they can arrange to be met and escorted safely into their home.

Dwain, 23, a veteran of the South African military said: "When we first arrived everybody seemed fearful. But people have relaxed. They know that if there are problems we can be there in seconds."

The guards carry no weapons and have no police-style powers, but can carry out citizens' arrests. Mr Levine said: "In the six weeks we have been here, we have caught a pair of car thieves breaking into a vehicle and caused what we know were burglars to leave the area. If criminals see us, hopefully they will move on."

Rosie Winston, who chairs the Primrose Hill business association, said: "It's a sad state of affairs, but if private patrols make people feel more secure, so be it."

Scotland Yard said officers were willing to work with private security firms. A spokesman said: "We recognise the role security firms have to play in reassuring sections of the community, and urge them to work in co-operation with the police."

Robbery victim Richard Harrington has no doubts. He said: "Since the guys came in here there have been no real problems. They have definitely made a difference."