Security guards participating in the crime prevention initiative will not be given police powers, said Honeydew police station Commissioner Oswald Reddy on Wednesday.

"There seems to be misunderstanding and confusion about the operational concept due to an article published in the media on Sunday, which incorrectly indicated that security companies will be given police powers and policing mandate.

"This is not true and in fact it's a misrepresentation of the project," Reddy said when addressing guests at the signing of a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) between Honeydew police station and the Security Industry Alliance.

The signing of the MoU between the two parties was facilitated by Business Against Crime SA.

"The pilot project cannot give and will not give security companies more powers for participating in the project, only the parliament can grant such powers."

Reddy said there was a huge number of security officers patrolling within Honeydew, but criminals on their way to commit crimes passed without the guards knowing.

Project information would be shared over a radio network.

"Security guards are force multipliers and extended 'eyes and ears' for the police. They will observe, monitor and then inform the police who will then take over, arrest and investigate," he said.

Police will, in turn, provide the guards with a list of suspicious and wanted vehicles that operated within the area.

Sapa