'Private police' officer comes to aid of lone female cop struggling with two burglary suspects

This was the moment a 'private police' officer came to the aid of a lone female Met Police woman as she struggled to detain two burglary suspects this morning.

Koon Wai, (above in red) a security officer with private firm My Local Bobby (MLB), was alerted to the scene by residents who reported a suspected burglary in Burntwood Avenue, Hornchurch, east London at 8.20am today<March19>.

A female police officer was trying to detain the male suspect while a female with him tried to prevent this.

Mr Wai was filmed restraining the man until more female police officers arrived in a patrol car.

MLB has been dubbed a private police force after it started running patrols of residential and business areas across London due to the shortage of police on the streets.

The firm carries out 24 hour patrols in the areas it covers and uses handcuffs to detain suspects until police arrive to make an arrest.

The officers wear red uniforms to distinguish them from police, but in the areas they cover many people are opting to call them first, instead of police, as they are guaranteed a response.

With its sister private detective company it also carried out private prosecutions of offences the police and CPS do not pursue, including shoplifting.

MLB has grown from one initial neighbourhood beat in Chigwell, Essex, in 2016 to 18 residential and 20 business beats by 2024, spread across London, Essex and as far as Milton Keynes and Ipswich.

MLB CEO Dave McKelvey posted the video on Linkedin today.

He said: "Just before 9am today, Bobby Koon Wai responded to urgent calls from residents about a suspect believed to be involved in a burglary.

Arriving within minutes, he was met by a young Metropolitan Police officer. Together, they confronted the male suspect—who immediately turned violent. In a dramatic turn, a female accomplice attempted to free him, but the officer swiftly called for backup.

"Thankfully, the cavalry wasn’t far away. Both suspects were arrested for burglary.

"A fantastic joint effort between My Local Bobby and The Metropolitan Police.

"We’re incredibly proud of Bobby Koon Wai and the dedicated officers who work tirelessly to protect their communities. Your Bobbies are out there every day, making a real difference."

MLB also posted about the incident adding: "This morning, Bobby Koon Wai supported police officers in the arrest of two suspects on our Emerson Park beat.

"After locating the individuals, Koon Wai assisted an officer in approaching them. As the male suspect resisted while being handcuffed, he had to be restrained until additional officers arrived to assist.

"Both suspects were then subsequently arrested."

A resident who filmed the incident said: "Koon Wai was amazing today in assisting the police, thank you My Local Bobby for keeping or community safe."

Cuts to officer numbers across the Met announced by the Met last December have led to fears there will be a greater reliance upon private firms like MLB.

The Met Police was contacted for comment.

Last week, the Government's Crime and Policing Bill entered its second reading debate in the House of Commons.

Jo White, MP for Bassetlaw said: “I welcome the introduction of a new offence of assaulting a shop worker. I have been in shops in Worksop where I have seen shop workers who are absolutely fearful of what will happen next and I have seen food stolen before my eyes.”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The Bill introduces stronger action on retail crime.

“They are the staff who kept their shops open and kept our local communities going through the pandemic, but in recent years they have had to face a truly disgraceful escalation in threats, abuse and violence. Our party has campaigned on this measure for very many years.

“Through the Bill, we will introduce a specific offence of assaulting a retail worker, sending the message loud and clear that these disgraceful crimes must not be tolerated, because everyone has a right to feel safe at work.”

She also spoke about cuts to neighbourhood policing by the previous government.

She said: “In many areas of the country, neighbourhood policing has been cut by a third or nearly half. At the heart of the government’s plan is rebuilding neighbourhood policing.

“We plan to put 13,000 more neighbourhood police and police community support officers back on the beat over the course of this Parliament, kick-started with £200 million of funding in the next financial year."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "Forces across England and Wales will now be given hugely increased resources to begin their recruitment to boost neighbourhood policing teams, helping to ensure that the government’s target for additional personnel is met by 2029.

"After years of declining officer presence on Britain’s streets, this investment represents a crucial first step in rebuilding neighbourhood policing. This doubled funding – increased from December’s provisional £100 million commitment – reflects the scale of the challenges that many forces face, as well as the government’s determination to address them.

"As part of a wider billion-pound boost to policing, this dedicated funding will strengthen local crime prevention and community safety. One of the government’s key pledges within its Plan for Change is that every neighbourhood will have a named, contactable officer, helping to restore the local knowledge and presence that effective neighbourhood policing demands."