Council paid £1.2m for 'illegal' security

12 April 2012

A security company paid more than £1 million by a London council will be investigated by a government watchdog after it emerged that it was not properly licensed.

MetPro Rapid Response worked for five years for Barnet council - including having contact with children.

The Conservative-run borough has severed its links with the company and today announced its own investigation. But Barnet is facing "serious questions" from opposition Labour councillors about its vetting of contractors after it emerged that the council had paid MetPro £1.2million.

The company received £275,000 in the past 10 months. Barnet said that MetPro's security duties included "education services", and working at its town hall, municipal offices and a hostel for the homeless as well as guarding library staff.

The company stated on its website that it worked with "sensitive departments such as housing, child protection, the youth offending service and evictions". A Barnet spokeswoman said: "We sought regular assurances that all MetPro officers were SIA [Security Industry Authority] accredited." There is no suggestion that anyone was at risk.

MetPro was criticised for filming anti-cuts protesters by using "covert" jacket lapel cameras at a stormy budget meeting at Hendon town hall last month.

The company, which styled itself on the police, offered "arrest and detention" of intruders, despite having no special powers.

Checks by the SIA, a branch of the Home Office, showed MetPro's bosses did not hold many of the appropriate licences - a criminal offence. It said one was licensed only for keyholding duties.

MetPro, based in Southgate, went into liquidation with £400,000 debts.

A Barnet spokeswoman said: "Once the council was aware MetPro had gone into liquidation it terminated its contract."

The council's chief executive has requested a full audit of its arrangements with the company.

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