Sectorguard – the manned security solutions provider – has been contracted by Hadley Wood residents to carry out regular vigilance patrols.
The area contains high profile residents, and SectorGuard's officers will be tasked with complimenting the Metropolitan Police Service's efforts to stem the recent tide of burglaries.

Residents of Hadley Wood have taken the initiative in helping to police the area. Households have been approached to contribute towards the cost of contracting SectorGuard, each paying a minimum donation of £500 per year for increased security.

In practice, panic buttons will link each household to the uniformed guards, who will patrol the area round-the-clock in marked and unmarked vehicles.

The initiative is very much in line with Home Secretary David Blunkett's plans for an 'extended police family' involving law enforcement by the private sector.

It's certainly an area which David Marks – chief executive officer of SectorGuard – is very keen on exploiting. "We want to increase our presence in this field by providing cost-effective and productive security programmes," said Marks.

"We are able to provide a security solution that offers reassurance to the public, and re-establishes their confidence in the security services."