Individuals in Doncaster, England, were interviewed to assess the extent of crime and the effectiveness of private security. Despite being long-established customers of the private security company, no one interviewed had any direct crime experiences. All interviewees mentioned perceived differences between private security and the local police. Three themes emerged as to why interviewees chose private security rather than the local police: (1) deterrent effect of the private security sticker and patrol; (2) proactive nature of private security as opposed to the reactive nature of the local police; and (3) the fact that the private security company did not have its "hands tied" and could thus sort out problems in more effective ways than the local police. Relations between the private security company and the local police were difficult, and the local police did not support the private security company at the formal policy level or as a partner in the fight against crime. 11 references, 1 note, and 2 tables