New task force mooted in U.K.

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33628, 2 September 1974, Page 13

New task force mooted in U.K.

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) LONDON, September 1. Six Right-wing Conservative Parliamentarians have produced a plan for a nation-wide force of volunteer police auxiliaries, including schoolchildren, principally to combat violence at demonstrations and soccer matches in Britain, and juvenile delinquency.

The group has denied that; the organisation would be a| private army, or a strike-1 breaking force like those being formed by former British Army officers to cross picket-lines and to run sectors of the economy during a general strike. Mr Harold Gurden, who leads the six sponsors, says that he would like to see junior volunteers at school level helping to fight juvenile delinquency. The radio-equipped volunteer force would act as law-and-order wardens strictly under police control. They would have no power of arrest, and would wear identifying armbands. Mr Gurden, who is 71, and I well known for his tough iaw-and-order views, said: “Something has to be done to stop the crime figures rising, and ours is a serious proposal which would work

.under the proper authority.

| “We should perhaps experiment with a volunteer foree in one city, and see how it goes. Throughout the country I think we could easily get 10,000 volunteers, and probably many more. They would be used on a part-time, unpaid basis.”

Mr Gurden added that he envisaged a force “something along the lines of the war-time Civil Defence and the A.R.P. wardens.” Mr Leslie Male, the chairman of the British Police Federation commented: “The scheme is totally impracticable, and bound to lead to even greater disruption of the public peace.”

Political observers in London say that the six sponsors of the scheme are unlikely to be given strong support by the Conservative Party leade'ship.