We’ve started our own vigilante squad to control the streets… if the police won’t keep us safe, we will

A GROUP of residents have banded together to form a 'vigilante' squad as they say police won't protect them from crime.

Volunteers patrol the streets of Portsmouth, Hampshire, equipped with bodycams and stab-proof vests as their trust in the cops has been "broken".

Andy Kircher, a local resident who owns a CCTV business, organised the effort as he became fed up with criminals running rampant, including himself being threatened at knife point.

Andy, 53, spent £2,500 of his own money to buy protective gear, while local businesses have also chipped in.

The squad, which has grown to 14 people, roam the streets at night, reporting crimes to the police and even intervening to prevent them when safe to do so.

Former Royal Marine Andy said that crime has increased "tenfold" in the area over recent years and insisted that his methods are working.

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He explained: "The police have acted on the reports we have given them and have made arrests.

"The police are responding where they can, but they can’t be everywhere at once. I feel sorry for them.

"There are nowhere near enough officers on the beat overnight. Residents are worried. I want people to feel safe in their own homes."

He added that he has received overwhelming public support for the patrols and requests for them to be extended to other areas of the city.

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He said: "They’re saying this is brilliant and showing a proper community spirit.

"Together we are stronger. If we work together, we will become stronger, and crime will go down.

"I want to get these idiots who think they can do what they want off the streets."

It comes after anti-social behaviour and criminal damage became so bad that Hampshire Police issued a dispersal order in May covering the worst hotspots.

Andy said that residents in his area have witnessed drug dealing, arson, vandalism and fly-tipping just to name a few.

Zoe Wakefield, chair of the Hampshire Police Federation, said underfunding was damaging public confidence in the force.

She praised the "civic mindedness" of the volunteers but added that it was "sad" that locals had to resort to such methods.

Conservative city councillor Scott Payter-Harris praised the group, saying: "They are using their resources to go out and help people. They are a presence, and that is the key part about it.

"What Andy is doing off his own back is showing how much he cares for the community."

He added: "Trust with the council and police is broken with residents of these troubled areas."

Meanwhile, Sergeant Sarah Coolahan of Hampshire Police thanked Andy's group but reminded residents not to put themselves in harm's way.

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She said that crime is on the decline in their area thanks to a new police strategy.

However, she urged members of the public to be active in reporting crimes so that the force can respond appropriately, saying: "We can’t help if we don’t know about it."

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