Amazed hospital patients are among those who see union campaign go off with a bang

An anti-police privatisation campaign message was delivered to members of the public – including patients at a hospital who saw a glowing message light up their wards.

The patients were amazed as the display held by Unison’s Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Cambridgeshire Police branches exploded into life near Lister Hospital, Stevenage.

Medical staff and visitors rushed to their windows to see a giant burning slogan of “Keep Policing Public” – complemented by a stunning array of pyrotechnics.

The fireworks were part of a press event staged by Unison to highlight its Fight Police Privatisation campaign. Police staff at the union are campaigning to stop G4S winning a contract to supply organisational support in the three force areas.

Nic Brunetti, PoliceOracle.com’s reporter who attended the union press conference, said: “I have never seen so many amazing fireworks – and it wasn’t even fireworks night.

“The display took place on a field at Stevenage Rugby Club – close to the hospital. You could see the ward windows full of people curious as to what was going on. Maybe they were even thinking about the NHS’ own privatisation issues.”

Members of the Police Federation and Superintendents’ Association lent their support to police staff colleagues at the event – which heard that G4S was set to face a rival in-sourcing proposal originally initiated by Unison itself.

To view the display click here