Thomas Daniels
Peter McCormack, the prominent Bitcoin podcaster and owner of Real Bedford FC, has launched a privately funded security initiative in Bedford, United Kingdom. Frustrated by what he describes as rising crime and ineffective law enforcement, McCormack claims he can protect local residents more effectively — a move some liken to a real-life Batman.
In a recent post, McCormack declared, “If the police won’t keep the town safe for our women and children, I will.” Under the pilot project, ten private security officers will patrol the town center each Saturday, funded entirely from McCormack’s own resources.
He criticized the state of local safety, citing a growing presence of drug users, aggressive panhandling, shoplifting, and harassment. “The police have failed us,” McCormack stated, emphasizing the impact on local businesses and residents. Bedford, with a population of approximately 186,000 and located less than two hours from London, has already seen community discussions emerge in support of the plan.
The legal parameters of this initiative remain unclear. Vigilantism is illegal under UK law, but McCormack has indicated that the guards will primarily act as observers, potentially collecting video evidence to support police efforts.
The emergence of privately funded security reflects a broader trend. In major urban centers like San Francisco, police shortages have led communities to increasingly rely on private firms to supplement public services. Experts stress, however, that these models only succeed when there is clear cooperation and accountability between private and public sectors.
As Bedford prepares for a public meeting on July 24, attention is turning to how this local experiment might reshape public safety models — or raise new legal and ethical challenges.
