PCC John Tizard and MP Mohammad Yasin provide an update on tackling town centre crime head on

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Tizard has reported positive results by the local community policing team, supported by Bedford Borough Council, who are working to crack down on antisocial behaviour in the town centre.

To highlight the results, the PCC joined Mohammad Yasin MP for a community walkabout in Bedford town centre, staking a proactive, visible response to the real concerns about safety in the town centre.

Bedford is one of six towns in the county to benefit from enhanced patrols this summer Bedford is seeing renewed partnerships between police, council, and community groups to tackle crime and support local businesses. 

During August, Bedford Borough Council and Bedfordshire Police delivered a robust programme of community safety and engagement activities, resulting in 83 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) issued for anti-social behaviour, 49 arrests for drug-related and other offences, and 345 positive engagements with members of the public. Officers also conducted 66 direct engagements with local businesses, reinforcing the commitment to building safer, stronger communities.

The month’s focus was on tackling environmental anti-social behaviour (ASB), with a series of targeted operations across Bedford. These included an Enviro-Crime Day walkabout in the town centre, litter picks and knife sweeps in Midland Road, and fly-tipping interventions in town centre car parks. A pop-up event at La Piazza focused on raising awareness around knife crime.

Business engagement remained a priority, with 100 Business Watch letters distributed and face-to-face contact made with numerous town centre businesses to promote safety and partnership working.

John Tizard, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedford said:

“Whilst some deliberately seek to misinform the public about crime levels and public safety in Bedford town centre, it is important to look at the facts.

“Anti-social behaviour is down, A cannabis factory has been discovered and taken down. Major crime assets have been seized. On street drug and alcohol abuse have been addressed. Businesses have been supported to deliver 83 number of fixed penalty notices, 49 arrests for drug-related and other offences, and 345 positive engagements with members of the public.

“There are increased police patrols in the town centre.

“Over the summer much has been achieved by the police working with the Borough Council but more remains to be done. We have taken advantage of the Home Office Safer Streets, Safer Town Centre initiative to make Bedford Town Centre safer.

“I am pleased that Mohammad Yasin Bedford's MP was able to join me and the police team to see what has been achieved and hear about our plans for the coming months”

Mohammad Yasin, Bedford MP said:

“It was a pleasure to join Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, John Tizard, and local community officers for a walkabout in Bedford town centre today. This was a chance to see first-hand the proactive work being carried out as part of the “Safer Streets, Safer Town Centre” initiative.

“Backed by the Home Office, this initiative is already showing encouraging results, with a 15% reduction in anti-social behaviour compared to last year. I am pleased that Bedfordshire Police are making full use of the tools available to them, working in close partnership with the council and local communities to rebuild confidence and make the town centre a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.

“It’s a powerful reminder that a long-term, big-picture approach to tackling the root causes of crime is the most effective way to keep our communities safe.

“Through the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, named officers are now back in every community, restoring the link between local people and their police. I welcome the progress being made to strengthen neighbourhood policing, get more officers on the beat, and ensure that Bedford remains a town where people feel safe, supported, and proud to live and work.”

The walkabout starts at 9am from Bedford Police Station hub, and the PCC is inviting residents, businesses and volunteers to come forward to speak with him, and to continue shaping the future of community safety.