PCC invites schools to become part of the solution in reducing crime in Beds

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and VERU (Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit) will be hosting a joint Youth Conference for Year 9 students across Bedfordshire. This will be a first for the OPCC with the aim of the event being to reach youths who would like to be part of the […]
PCC thanks Bedfordshire Police for delivering ‘vital project’ on time as state-of-the-art custody building opens

The 22-cell custody block and additional office space was officially opened on Thursday (21 April) by Chief Constable Garry Forsyth, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Chris Sharwood-Smith MBE. Developers Wilmott Dixon have spent the last two years building the multi-million-pound custody block, after the […]
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Funding Opportunity

The Home Office have confirmed that £147m of funding will be committed, until the end of 2024/25 for victim services. The money will fund emotional, practical, and therapeutic support for victims of crime such as women and girls affected by domestic abuse. Funding allocation from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is broken down as follows: […]
New funding to support victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence will be ‘instrumental’ says Beds PCC

Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Festus Akinbusoye, believes securing additional funding for victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence will be instrumental in tackling these crimes across the county. The Home Office have confirmed that £147m of funding will be committed, until the end of 2024/25 for victim services. The money will fund emotional, […]
Beds PCC ‘thrilled’ that Bedfordshire Police have been rated ‘outstanding’ for their management of offenders

Bedfordshire Police received the grading following an inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). PCC Festus Akinbusoye said: “The grading was part of a PEEL report which rates us as a force on police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy. “I am thrilled that we have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ for […]
Beds PCC ‘thrilled’ VERU team recognised by the Home Office with three-year funding announcement

It marks the longest funding settlement yet for the county’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU), which had been awarded year-on-year funding for its three years of operation so far. In a further boost for efforts to tackle violent crime in Bedfordshire, local police have also been awarded £521,000 of government funding next year to […]
Bedfordshire PCC hosts ‘breath taking’ School’s Debating Competition final at Bedford Magistrates Court

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) recently hosted two rounds of the PCC’s first ever Schools Parliamentary Debating competition. This week saw the PCC host the final at Bedford Magistrates Court as two Bedfordshire schools battled in a real-life parliamentary setting for the Commissioner’s cup. During his campaign the Police and Crime […]
Successful Safer Streets community event in Dunstable alleviates worries of residents

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) recently hosted an event in Manshead, Dunstable as part of the Safer Streets project. Residents were invited to come along to St Augustine’s Academy in Dunstable to speak with the multi-partnership team made up of the OPCC, Bedfordshire Police, Central Bedfordshire Council, Bedfordshire Police Partnership Trust, […]
PCC hosts OPCC’s first ever Schools Debating competition in Bedfordshire

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), hosted their first ever Schools Debating competition this week. During his campaign the Police and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye pledged to run an annual debating competition. Young people aged 15-18 years old were invited from Bedfordshire schools to take part in the competition, proudly sponsored by […]
PCC launches Annual Survey to the people of Bedfordshire

Police and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye has launched his Annual Survey to the people of Bedfordshire. The survey, launched today (Monday 7 March 2022), gives residents an opportunity to give feedback on their views and experiences across different aspects of policing. Mr Akinbusoye said “One of my statutory duties is to consult and engage with […]