EU police force could eventually patrol the streets of Britain

BRUSSELS has set up a new EU police force which could eventually patrol the streets of Britain.

The European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) is the first police organisation to come under the direct control of the EU and is seen by some as another step towards the creation of a superstate.

The 5,000-strong force, designed to deal with big civil disturbances, has just completed its training in Italy. It comprises paramilitary police officers from Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and Holland. The force will “first and foremost be at the disposal of the EU”.

Initially the EGF’s main role will be on international missions but it could be deployed within the EU.

Critics last night warned that the force could eventually patrol the streets of Britain if Gordon Brown signs up to the new EU constitution, which will lead to more common working on justice and home affairs and defence issues.

Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party, described the new force as “sinister”. He said: “It is not at all clear to me why the EU needs its own police force. "The fact that this is being set up before the constitution has been signed is a pretty worrying sign. Gordon Brown may claim to have an opt-out on justice and home affairs but all the opt-outs in the past have disappeared. The worry is that these foreign police, controlled by Brussels, could be seen on the streets of Britain. That is a pretty scary prospect.”

Torquil Dick-Erikson, a British constitutional lawyer who lives in Italy, said the Continental models of paramilitary police were completely alien to British policing traditions.

“Having different nationalities drilling side by side is clearly part of a plan to create a European police force,” he said.

“Our Continental neighbours have a different history from ours and do not share many of our traditions, in particular our traditions of policing. In a merger their voices will prevail over ours and our traditions will be erased and their traditions will be imposed on us.

“The best way to stop these fellows demonstrating their skills on a High Street near you is to make sure that people in Britain know what is going on and put pressure on politicians to hold a referendum before ratifying any EU treaty covering justice and home affairs.”

The setting up of the EGF stems from decisions taken by EU defence ministers seven years ago. Its mission is: “To perform all kinds of police functions in crisis management operations.”

The new force has a permanent headquarters in Vicenza, Italy, where thousands of officers have undergone extensive training in tackling major incidents.

Officers continue to wear their own uniforms but sport an EGF armband showing a grey flaming grenade on a sword against a blue background.

The logo is said to represent “the common military roots of the police forces involved”. Last night the Foreign Office said there were no circumstances in which the EGF could be deployed in Britain.

A spokesman said: “The EGF is an initiative of five EU member states. It is not an EU proposal or agency and has been set up outside of EU structures. There is no connection with the European Reform Treaty.”