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Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 10:17 GMT 10:17 UK

There shouldn't be a need, but there is. Government has tied itself in such expensive red tape and "initiatives" that it cannot even do the basic things right anymore. In todays world if you want security and protection, the police are not a sure option.

[SurreyJim], Epsom, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 10:09 GMT 10:09 UK

No I wouldn't pay for a private army. I already pay taxes for a proper police force. I'm sick of this idea of low taxes and the half-baked public services that go with them. Giving people the option of paying extra for some private fatcat and his crackpot army to supplement the job is plain stupid.

arthur priest, Leicester

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 10:04 GMT 10:04 UK

Yes I would pay for a police force that is not just out to rip me off and support a corrupt government and state. Just can't afford to as I'm already paying for the bunch of highway robbers and charlatans currently entrusted with the job.

Maybe with a private police force pointing its cameras at the governments police force we would have less state sponsored violence and death and we would eventually put the vast majority of them behind bars and yes I did mean majority.

jon sanderson, retford

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:59 GMT 09:59 UK

I thought we were already paying for the police service with our taxes! They are utterly useless, arrogant and lazy.

Alice W, Bristol, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:53 GMT 09:53 UK

Why do we not see a visible police presence on our Estates and Town Centres, yet at the local police stations even the overspill staff car parks are full.

R Suppards, Sleaford, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:52 GMT 09:52 UK

Of course 'senior police chiefs' see the rise of private security firms as a 'worrying development'- it means there competence will be called into question.

Not that this should really worry them- unlike governments you can't vote out the police. Shame really.

[DavidCOMMIEron], Chelmsford, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:50 GMT 09:50 UK

I don't approve of private security doing the job that the police, paid for by the tax payers, should already cover; but I can understand frustration where the police are failing to solve a problem, and were I in that situation might even consider a suggestion of private security as a short term solution.

The real solution though, is to have the authorities do the job properly in the first place. The answer is in their own hands, and the answer is not to ban solutions but to implement them.

[FriendlyNemesis], Let's hold this one back until the end and shove it on page 70, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:49 GMT 09:49 UK

Do we really want private police where the well off can jump the queue a la NHS. Already there are well off estates where 'security guards' dissuade non residents from even walking through. What next a return to the idea of displaying wall plaques so Fire Brigades for Insurance Companies knew when to act and when to watch.

Of the officers available for duty, how many are tucked away in squads or are ESSO men? [ Every Sat, Sun Off ] Get the ones we pay for out on the streets when we need them

R Suppards, Sleaford, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:45 GMT 09:45 UK

Have a look at your council tax bill in the bit that details how much goes to your local police force. In my case its about £50 a year. If you want private 'rent a cops' patrolling your streets its £2 a day. If we all paid the police £2 a day we'd have a cop on every street corner.

As no-one wants to pay a penny more in tax you'll have to put up with the sevice you pay peanuts for.

[Peter_Sym], Nottingham

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:43 GMT 09:43 UK

I bet more than half the people who complain about the police on HYS live in a nice little house and have never been the victim of a serious crime but just have to jump on the bandwagon.

Jimbo, Aberdeen

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:42 GMT 09:42 UK

Any form of policing that has the shareholders interest as it's first priority, quite frankly stinks.

Colin Whinger speaking his mind, Plymouth, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:25 GMT 09:25 UK

I already pay for 'private policing'.

Every member of this government has bodyguards paid for by my taxes.

Shame the rest of us don't get that service.

John Ball, Bristol, United Kingdom

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:21 GMT 09:21 UK

A lot of people seem to be blaming the police for the fact that the public can't control themselves and don't know how to behave.

Maybe if parents brought their children up properly, the police wouldn't have to deal with so much rubbish and coul'd get on with solving serious crimes.

Maybe if everyone stopped commiting minor crimes (e.g. speeding) that would also free the police up.

It's a partnership - but we seem not to want to take part.

D, Hull

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:08 GMT 09:08 UK

Yes as long as it was reflected in my Council Tax.

[olafdablunt], Corfe Mullen

Added: Monday, 16 November, 2009, 09:06 GMT 09:06 UK

The police are under-funded and under-resourced, it's really not a huge surprise that private security firms are filling the gap where needed.

Steve, Faversham