Guard dog teams could replace privately funded police officers in Croydon town centre.

Security firm Guard Dog Security (GDS) has told Croydon business leaders they can protect the town centre for half the cost of the police, while also offering to provide free cover for community events across the borough.

Croydon BID is considering ending an agreement to fund five town centre police officers at around £200,000 a year after Croydon’s Metropolitan Police numbers are set to be cut from 21 to just 10.

Should Croydon BID remove funding this number would reduce to five.

GDS commercial director, Croydon resident Joe McIntosh, has said patrols of two dog teams can cover the job of five police officers and could be employed annually for just £100,000.

He said: "Since the company was set up in 2004 no site we have been protecting has been broken into. When people see the sign guard dogs they don’t mess around. People might be willing to go up against the police but I’m yet to meet anyone who wants to tangle with a Rottweiler or German shepherd."

The company, founded in Bromley but opening a new office in Shirley, is a member of the Safer Croydon Partnership and has also offered to provide free security advice and cover at community events.

Mr McIntosh said: "It is about giving something back to the community. Things like the Purley Festival, where organisers will need help with certain logistical issues, can come to us and get help planning the policing the event."

Max Menon, chairman of Croydon Business Improvement District, said: "We are currently looking at all our options. We will be holding a board meeting on Wednesday and will discuss this offer."

Superintendent Rob Atkin, from Croydon Police, said: "We have recently made changes to the way that we police Croydon Town Centre.

"Prior to these changes, there were 21 Police Constables as part of the Town Centre Team.

"However, these officers covered shifts both during the day and through to the night time economy.

"The new Town Centre Team is made up of 10 PCs, but they are solely focused on the daytime economy. There is also an Inspector and two Sergeants as part of the Town Centre Team.

"In addition, we now have in place a new task force of uniform officers which will be responsible for policing the town centre along with other officers from the borough during the evening and night time - with emphasis on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

"With these changes I believe that we will have the right officers in the right places at the right times to ultimately deliver."