A Reform UK-led council in Essex has introduced private security guards in the town centres of Braintree, Colchester, and Chelmsford as part of an initiative known as Operation Vanguard. The program involves six guards working in a three-month trial, funded by up to £150,000 from a community improvement fund, with an expected cost of approximately £118,000 plus VAT. The guards will patrol from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, with the goal of deterring anti-social behavior in the area. This initiative was announced in August, following a government decision to expand the Wethersfield Airfield Asylum Accommodation, a former Royal Air Force site that now houses asylum seekers. The Home Office plans to increase the site's capacity from 800 to 1,245 people and expects it to remain in use beyond 2027. The council stated that the security measures were introduced in response to concerns from local residents, especially women and girls, about gatherings of male migrants in town centers. Peter Harris, the Reform UK leader of Essex County Council, said the guards would create a visible and reassuring presence on the streets, emphasizing that the safety of local residents is the top priority. The guards will mainly patrol areas where migrants are dropped off but may also assist with other security issues if needed. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from some local politicians. Labour county councillor Lee Scordis argued that there is no evidence of increased crime linked to asylum seekers in Colchester, citing the council's own report and police assessments. Scordis accused the council of making a decision based on prejudice and pointed out the lack of clarity about the guards' authority and whether local police had been consulted. A council report titled "Launch of Operation Vanguard" referenced the Home Office's statement that there is no evidence the Wethersfield site has affected local crime levels. A Home Office spokesperson emphasized that public safety is their top priority and that they collaborate with local police to ensure the safety of communities around the site, staff, and asylum seekers. The spokesperson added that community concerns are a key consideration in immigration reforms and that efforts are underway to fairly house asylum seekers, close every asylum hotel, and transition them to alternative accommodations.