Romford BID Appoints My Local Bobby to Improve Safety in the Town
Romford BID has been working with My Local Bobby since 2023. My Local Bobby provides a reassuring and visible presence across Romford through regular patrols. The wardens take a proactive and direct approach to dealing with incidents as they arise. Romford BID patrol officers maintain consistent communication with BID members to manage and reduce threats, anti-social behaviour, and other issues that may disrupt business activity.
My Local Bobby will provide a reassuring presence throughout Romford with regular patrols and will be proactive and direct in dealing with issues when they arise. Romford’s two main Bobbies will be Chris Levy and Khan Hunter. They will maintain regular contact with BID members to manage and reduce threats, anti-social behaviour and other matters that disrupt business activity.
The Bobbys work closely with the BID and local businesses to address issues such as anti-social behaviour and shoplifting, while also offering support and assistance to residents and shoppers throughout the town centre. Gathering intelligence is a core part of the initiative. The Bobbys collect information and evidence to support TM Eye, the Police Services and Havering Council, enabling the effective targeting of persistent offenders.
The organisation was co-founded in 2016 by former Met Police Detective Chief Superintendent David McKelvey and delivers public realm security services across various locations in London and other parts of the UK. All wardens are accredited by the Security Industry Authority (SIA), requiring them to undergo training from an approved provider, as well as criminal record checks and thorough vetting. They also receive additional training in trauma response, duty of care, making citizen’s arrests, and the safe use of handcuffs.
In May 2025, Romford BID announced a major increase to the town’s investment with My Local Bobby. The landlords of The Liberty and The Brewery shopping centres each pledged £50,000 to support and expand the initiative, doubling the number of Bobbies from two to four. This increased investment means Romford will now benefit from MLB coverage seven days a week, with four officers on duty on four of those days. The expanded team includes existing officer Chris Levy, joined by new recruits Muhammad Islam, Tyler Morrison, and Ricky Averkiou – further strengthening Romford BID’s commitment to maintaining a welcoming and safe town centre.