Prominent Bitcoin podcaster and Real Bedford FC owner Peter McCormack claims he can tackle Bedford\u2019s rising crime rate better than the local police force, taking on a role some might liken to a real-life Batman.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I promised, if the police won\u2019t keep the town safe for our women and children, I will,\u201d McCormack said<\/a> in an X post on Friday, explaining that he is personally funding a pilot project to provide security in his hometown of Bedford, UK, with 10 guards patrolling the town center every Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy? Because the police have failed us. More crackheads, more aggressive beggars, more shoplifters, and therefore fewer people coming into town. Women are being harassed, shops are closing, and families no longer feel safe,\u201d McCormack said.<\/p>\n McCormack said the announcement came only after he warned the police force. \u201cThe police aren\u2019t delivering. I put the police on notice regarding this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n McCormack is a vocal advocate for Bedford, a town of approximately 185,800 residents located less than two hours from London, according<\/a> to Total Population data. He owns several businesses in the town as well as the local football club, Real Bedford FC \u2014 often dubbed the \u201cBitcoin soccer team\u201d and backed by investment from Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.<\/p>\n He said he has surveyed Bedford residents about the crime problem and has invited the local community to attend a meeting to help rally further support.<\/p>\n How these private security guards would operate in public and the extent of their authority is unclear, as vigilantism is illegal in the UK, according<\/a> to JD Spicer Zeb Solicitors. <\/p>\n However, they might instead serve more as informants to the police by providing video footage, much like the increasing number of traffic vigilantes around the country.<\/p>\n Although the idea of privately funded security for the town might sound unusual, some experts say it is becoming increasingly common. <\/p>\n Lieutenant Eric J. Altorfer of the San Francisco Police Department said<\/a> in May that police staffing shortages have increasingly led communities to turn to private security firms to fill gaps.<\/p>\n\u201cThe police have failed us,\u201d says McCormack<\/h2>\n
Authorities around the globe say private security becoming more common<\/h2>\n