Braintree: 'inaccurate' narrative of security
Reform's new Braintree security patrols over asylum seeker fears slammed as lacking evidence.
Last updated 15th Sep 2026
New private security to tackle alleged safety fears prompted by the presence of asylum seekers in Essex has been slammed as creating an ‘inaccurate’ narrative. Essex County Council has launched the initiative they have called Operation Vanguard to patrol Braintree, Colchester, and Chelmsford town centres.
Essex County Council says the plan is in response to concerns around gathering of groups of migrants in Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford, who are bussed from the Home Office’s Wethersfield asylum centre – but crime in Braintree is actually lower now compared to before the asylum seeker accommodation opened.
There will be six “operatives” who patrol the three town centres seven days a week between 10am and 6pm for an initial three-month trial period. It is being funded through a drawdown of up to £150,000 from a community improvement fund, Reform has said, with the three-month trial expected to cost around £118,000 plus VAT.
The operatives have no more powers than any other resident. Any incidents perceived to be criminal will be referred to Essex Police, the council said. Braintree District Council Tory Councillor leader Tom Cunningham has now issued an open letter criticising the scheme.
He said: “Braintree is a safe place to live, work and visit, and it is important that any action affecting our town centre is based on evidence, properly planned and developed with the partners already working together locally. We remain firmly opposed to the use of Wethersfield as an asylum accommodation centre. The site is unsuitable, it should not have been imposed on our district, and it should close as soon as possible."
“We are also lobbying the Home Office to stop the trips to Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford. But while the site remains open, the response must be careful, proportionate and evidence-led. The available information does not support any suggestion that Braintree town centre is unsafe or that a separate private security presence has been requested or justified by local partners."
“Town centre crime is lower than it was three years ago, police have their own dedicated Wethersfield funding, and crime linked to the site has been described as ‘very low’. There is also already significant day-to-day partnership work taking place between the council, Essex Police, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and other agencies to keep Braintree safe."
“This proposal has been developed too quickly, without any consultation with the organisations already responsible for community safety locally. In a sensitive situation, what is needed is cooperation, clear evidence and calm leadership — not action that risks increasing concern or reinforcing inaccurate perceptions about Braintree.”
Cllr Cunningham says Braintree District Council has asked Essex County Council for urgent clarification on the evidence base for the decision, the role of the security provider, how the scheme will work alongside Essex Police, and how risks around community cohesion will be managed.
He added: “It has been a difficult time for Braintree town centre, and other town centres too. Perception matters and we want to do all we can to support the town, our fellow residents and our retailers to ensure the town bounces back better and we all come together as a wider Braintree community."
“Braintree’s residents, businesses and visitors deserve practical action that helps people feel safe and is rooted in facts. We will continue to work constructively with all partners, but Braintree’s voice must be central to decisions affecting our town and district.”
Councillor Peter Harris, Leader of Essex County Council, said: “Operation Vanguard is a positive and proportionate response to the concerns residents have been raising for many months now regarding the daily bussing of asylum seekers from Wethersfield to Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford."
“Concerns for community safety are clearly there, particularly among women and girls, because of the daily gatherings of asylum seekers – gatherings which will increase in number and size as the facility expands."
“I have voiced these concerns directly to the Home Office, which now runs a fleet of 17 minibuses to the three nearest towns and cities on a daily basis. The induction process which migrants undergo at the centre is in my view woefully inadequate, especially on their introduction to British culture and the expectations we have of acceptable behaviour toward women and girls. But we are not prepared to sit on our hands and wait for the next incident. We are taking action.”
Essex Police has said since June 2023, there have been 15 reported offences across Essex in which a member of the public was the victim and the suspect was identified as, or alleged to be, a Wethersfield service user.
Of those incidents, six occurred in Colchester, three occurred in Braintree and five occurred in Chelmsford. So far during 2026, Essex Police have made 23 arrests relating to Wethersfield service users.
Four related to incidents in the wider Essex community, five related to incidents that took place outside Essex, and 14 related to incidents at the Wethersfield accommodation site itself, the majority involving alleged offences between service users.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Braintree, Colchester and Chelmsford town and city centres remain safe places, and all three areas experience less crime than they did three years ago. Essex Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams patrol these areas every day, including at key times, providing reassurance to the public and acting to deter crime and anti-social behaviour. Where incidents do occur, we respond robustly and take action against those responsible."
“We are in regular contact with Essex County Council and already have well-established processes in place to share information and respond to concerns. We will continue to work closely together as this operation is introduced across the three areas.”
Meanwhile Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said he is “proud” of Essex County Council’s decision. Mr Farage said: “I’m proud of Essex County Council for taking bold action to protect women and girls, but it’s despicable that they’ve had to do this in the first place.”