My Local Bobby

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Meet Your Acton BID Bobbies, Ayoub and Hamza! We have contracted My Local Bobby (MLB), a professional security provider that will patrol our BID areas, including our industrial estates, to work with BID businesses to increase safety, prevent crime and reduce anti-social behaviours.

The Bobbies will be equipped with body cameras, handcuffs and highly visible and smart, red and black uniforms. They are trained to deal with the following:

  • Street crime – robbery and theft of person offences
  • Retail crime – theft shoplifting
  • Drug dealing
  • Illegal street traders
  • Begging
  • Busking and street performers
  • Anti-Social Behaviour
  • Rough sleepers

They will be on various shift patterns and patrolling our BID areas 3 times a week which will include the Town centre, The Vale, South Acton estate and the Acton Park estate. They will visit businesses to assess any local issues and provide additional support.

However, please note that the bobbies will NOT replace reporting or calling any issues to the MET police. They will offer extra support while on patrols to our local businesses! They will be starting mid-August and it will be a running pilot project until March 2023. If you have any questions or require additional information about this initiative, please contact Veronique. 

For more information on the scheme, you can also view the Q&A below:

Why has the BID contracted MLB?

This pilot is to support our local Acton businesses within our BID Boundary area. It’s primarily to assist businesses that are hit with shoplifting and ASB. The bobbies are NOT here to replace the MET Police but are here to offer support. With their sister company, TM-Eye, they can also prosecute recurring shoplifters.

What do they do?

They are a visible presence appointed to reassure the business community and visiting members of the public. Our aim is to deter criminal activity by proactive uniformed patrols. In the event we are notified of criminality, our first response is to investigate and where evidence is secured, safely detain suspects until Police arrive.  

To whom are they accountable

MLB staff are licensed professionals who hold the appropriate accreditation to perform the assigned role. Our staff are held accountable by their employer (My Local Bobby) to perform the tasks set out in their assignment instructions.

How are they recruited? 

All staff are recruited to the British standard 7858

What background checks have been carried out?

MLB (the company) carry out enhanced checks and obtain DBS Certificates prior to employment. Previous working history references are also obtained. 

What are their level of training?

All staff are required to hold a minimum D/S license from the SIA (Security Industry Authority) which includes, physical intervention, conflict management, first aid & Counter terrorism awareness training. MLB staff also obtain company training prior to deployment.

What powers do they have? 

They hold the same level of power to perform a citizen’s arrest providing they have evidence to support any criminal behaviour or activity. The team have the power to detain individuals under citizen’s arrest as covered by section 24a of PACE (police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984).

Minors and youth

They do not handcuff minors

Rough Sleepers
The Bobbies are there to help with rough sleepers by getting the help they need, working with our local Acton charities such Acton Homeless Concern and St Mungos.