In her 2GB interview, operational security expert Gina Field, founder of Nepean Regional Security, explained how Australian councils increasingly hire private security patrols. She focused on a Melbourne council’s $370,000 trial in Wyndham. Gina said rising crime rates in Wyndham—up over 25%—and ongoing resident complaints motivated the council to act. With only 500 police officers serving a population of 350,000, councils like Wyndham’s use private patrols to improve safety where police coverage falls short.
Gina described how patrols provide a visible deterrent in shopping strips, council car parks, and parks with frequent theft or antisocial behaviour. She emphasised that her firm’s security teams make businesses feel safer, which encourages cafes to open earlier and hire younger staff, thanks to the security presence.
She clarified that security guards don’t act as quasi-police; they remain unarmed, lack arrest powers, and focus on handling minor incidents so police can prioritise critical cases. Gina stressed that security patrols maintain close communication with police. When security teams call 000, police recognise it as a serious situation requiring immediate response. This partnership ensures effective use of resources.
Gina pointed out that Australia has about 200,000 licensed security guards but only 70,000 police officers, so private security must fill the gap created by police shortages. She observed that shift work, poor court support, and the repeated bail of offenders, especially youths, lower police morale—a key factor driving rising youth crime nationwide.
She believes visible patrols deter crime, help police by resolving minor issues, and boost community confidence. Gina expects councils will increasingly depend on private security as police shortages continue and crime, particularly youth crime, escalates. She emphasised that private patrols, when they coordinate with police and councils, can cut crime rates, increase business confidence, and create safer communities.
Ultimately, Gina views private security patrols as essential partners in public safety. They help manage crime effectively and allow police to focus on major incidents, especially in areas where police resources remain stretched thin.
