Archived News
September 2013
'You Lock Up, We Lock'em Up' - Winter Burglary Reduction Campaign
"You Lock Up, We Lock'em Up." That's the message from Bedfordshire Police as the seasonal burglary reduction blitz kicks off early this year to keep offenders on the back foot as the force fights crime and protects the public.
The proactive enforcement, intelligence led and targeted operation will commence on Monday, September 30, and will target known and potential offenders in areas most hit by burglary. Dedicated teams from Local Policing, Crime Reduction, Roads Policing Unit and ANPR and Tasking Units will target key hotspots around the county.
Last year Operation Peak was one of a number of initiatives in Luton which contributed towards the current 31 per cent drop in burglaries in the town when compared to last year.
This year's burglary reduction initiative will remain 'Firm, Fair and Friendly', while using all available resources as well as wide and varying tactics including saturation policing, to make Bedfordshire a hostile environment in which to commit burglaries.
Speaking about the operation, Local Policing Chief Inspector Rob McCaffray, said: "We've run a variation of this targeted and intelligence led operation for a number of years and once again, as the evenings start to draw in, we will be continuing our efforts to fight burglary."
"Burglary is an offence which leaves the victim extremely upset and with a feeling of violation, particularly at a time when people are preparing for Christmas and a time of happiness. I can assure residents across Bedfordshire that we will be doing all that we can to reduce burglary within our communities."
Known offenders will be the key target of the operation and suspects can expect an increase in daily interaction with police officers over the coming months. Known offenders and suspects found to be in particular hotspot areas can also expect an increase in the use of police stop-and-search powers as Bedfordshire Police sends out a clear message that burglary will not be tolerated.
Local Policing Teams will also be distributing prevention advice in areas identified as burglary hotspots as well as executing search warrants where appropriate in order to fight crime and protect the public.
"Officers and PCSOs from across the force and from within the collaborated partnership are working hard to reduce the number of burglaries occurring in the county. We will also increase the opportunities for arresting those responsible – using wide and varying tactics including saturation policing, 'stop and search' and others policing powers as necessary, making Bedfordshire a hostile environment in which to commit burglaries," added Chief Inspector McCaffray.
If you would like to speak to someone about crime reduction advice please contact your Local Policing Team via the force website at www.bedfordshire.police.uk, visit the force's Facebook page or telephone Bedfordshire Police on 101.
If you have information relating to those committing burglaries contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non-emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 2000111.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Source: Ringmaster
Community Emergency Response Teams
The Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum are looking to set up a Community Emergency Response Team
Is your community prepared for emergencies?
To help local communities in severe weather or during a major incident, like a power cut or evacuation, the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) are looking for volunteers to set up local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and help minimise the consequences of potential disasters.
BLLRF brings together Police, Fire, Ambulance, local councils, health and government agencies, local businesses and resilience consultants to prepare and plan for disasters before they happen. CERTs will be the key contact for emergency planning and community preparations for major incidents, helping create a Community Emergency Plan for their area and assisting locally when an emergency occurs.
"This is not about creating or identifying a new community network, or a one-off response to an incident," says Mark Conway, Emergency Planning Officer for Central Bedfordshire Council, "but developing existing community networks and personal relationships. Think about what already exists around you, who you already talk to, and how you could work together before, during and after an incident. Existing local community networks and groups would be an excellent place to start building a group to be prepared for a local emergency." … "This could be anything from helping clear snow and ice from vulnerable people's drives during a severe winter to checking people are alright if the power is cut off for a long period or manning evacuation centres if there's a major fire. Local people can assist the emergency services by providing support and local knowledge during emergencies and helping their communities get back on their feet after a crisis."
Free emergency training is available every month in the evenings for anyone with an interest in emergency response.
If you are interested or able to help in any way, please contact us now by sending an email to [email protected] or calling 0300 300 4145.
To find out more visit www.bllrf.org.uk
Have you had your say on how you prefer to access the Police
Closing Date 1st October 2013
The recently announced Government funding cuts mean that Bedfordshire Police has to make savings of £7.5m - on top of the £15m already taken out of the budget since 2010.
With officers and staff already working at maximum efficiency I need to look at new ways in which I can find further savings.
Currently, police buildings in Bedfordshire cost £3m annually to run and maintain. Many are outdated and in need of refurbishment and are no longer in the best position to serve the public. Others are under-used and are consuming vast sums of money which could be better spent on protecting front line officers or PCSOs.
Meanwhile, technology and different methods of communicating mean that people often contact the police without visiting a police station and I am keen to establish how people prefer to contact the police in a non-emergency situation before I make any decisions on the future of police stations and contact points.
That's why I am asking you for your views. They will help me shape my plans to improve accessibility to the police in non-emergency situations, while making savings that will keep as many police officers and PCSOs as possible on our streets.
Please tell me what you think by taking part in my survey. It will take approximately 10 minutes and can be reached by clicking here https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=137483661407
The survey opened in July and will run until 1 October 2013. The final report will be placed on my website and my decisions will be publicised widely. If you wish to be alerted to the publication of the report, or would like to be informed of my decisions directly, please let my office know by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 01234 842066.
I am also aware that some people may need the survey in alternative formats or languages, and every effort will be made to accommodate this as efficiently as possible. Again, please contact my office with any such requests.
Thank you for getting involved and having your say about local policing.
Olly Martins
Police and Crime Commissioner
All-weather Training Pitch in Eaton Bray
Following an initiative from EB Lions, our village childrens' Football Club, Eaton Bray Parish Council (EBPC) is considering a proposal to build a community all‐weather training pitch.
In 2011, a site in Bower Lane was deemed unsuitable by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) planning officers. However the demand for such a facility was understood and supported.
In 2012, The Rye Recreation Ground was identified as an alternative site and following a public consultation, a successful planning application was made.
During and subsequent to the planning process there has been some local opposition to siting the facility at The Rye Recreation Ground. EB Lions have therefore suggested that Holman's Field, (the field behind Eaton Bray Academy, School Lane) also be considered.
Eaton Bray Parish Council is now undertaking a wider public consultation and invites parishioners of Eaton Bray to give their views on the proposal to build such a facility and the two possible sites under consideration;
- The Rye Recreation Ground, OR
- Holman's Field
Consultation & Public Meeting
Full details of the proposals can be seen in the following (PDF) document:
- Public Consultation: All-weather Training Pitch in Eaton Bray
(you may need Adobe Reader software to view this document)
Eaton Bray electors are invited to write/email to the Parish Clerk. Please include your name and address with postcode, to enable the council to collate comments into areas of response.
Local residents are also invited to attend a consultation meeting to be held at Eaton Bray Village Hall on Monday 21st October at 7.30pm. The meeting will be attended by representatives of Eaton Bray Parish Council and EB Lions AFC who will be happy to address any questions or concerns.
All responses MUST be received
by the Parish Clerk NO LATER than
Friday 25th October 2013.