Transparency

Police

Local Government

Bedfordshire Police Force

Information on your local neighbourhood officers, crime prevention, crime maps and a wide range of advice and useful contacts.

www.police.uk

Provides a range of data, including local crime information, contact details for safer neighbourhood teams and advice on criminal justice matters.

Local councils improve the health, wellbeing and safety of their residents. Working with partners, they aim to support, care for and protect vulnerable adults and children, and improve the safety and security of  their neighbourhoods and residents.

Bedford Borough Council

Central Bedfordshire Council

Luton Borough Council

Community Safety Partnerships

Criminal Justice

Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) were set up as statutory bodies under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 with further regulation being provided by the Police Reform Act 2002 and the Police and Justice Act 2006. Bedfordshire has three CSPs, one for Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Borough Councils. CSPs are made up of representatives from the Police, Councils, Fire Authorities and many other partners. Partners work together to develop and implement strategies to protect their local communities from crime and to help people feel safe.

The Bedfordshire Criminal Justice Board enables improved communication, cooperation and collaboration between partners to provide fair, efficient and effective criminal justice services in Bedfordshire to provide the best possible service to victims of crime and witnesses. They assist each other in delivering against the national Strategy and Action Plan with the aim of reducing offending and reoffending, and increasing public confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

Courts and Prison Services

Police and Crime Panel

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service
This service is responsible for the administration of the criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales.

The Prison Service (HMP Bedford)

Crown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service is the principal prosecution authority in England and Wales, and is responsible for advising the police on cases for possible prosecution, reviewing cases the police have submitted, determining any charges in more serious or complex cases, preparing cases for court, and presenting cases at court.

Bedfordshire Criminal Justice Board
The Bedfordshire Criminal Justice Board enables improved communication, cooperation and collaboration between partners to provide fair, efficient and effective criminal justice services in Bedfordshire to provide the best possible service to victims of crime and witnesses. They  assist each other in delivering against the national Strategy and Action Plan with the aim of reducing offending and reoffending, and increasing public confidence in the Criminal Justice System.

The Commissioner’s work is scrutinised by a Police and Crime Panel, consisting of ten local councillors and two independent members. The panel, which is hosted by Bedford Borough Council, is not a replacement Police Authority and will not scrutinise force performance.

It will focus its attention on the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner including whether the:

1. Aims set out in their police and crime plan and annual report have been achieved

2. Priorities of community safety partners have been considered

3. Public and victims have been consulted

It also has the power to veto some decisions made by the Police and Crime Commissioner, such as the amount of council tax paid towards policing and the appointment of the chief constable. 

Community Organisations

Crimestoppers

If you have any information on local or national crimes, you can pass it on to Crimestoppers anonymously, by contacting them on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Watch Schemes

Find out about Neighbourhood, Speed and Street Watch in your area and how you can help beat crime in the Bedfordshire. You can also sign up for BedsAlert, a communication portal which provides information about crime or other incidents in your area.

Bedfordshire Victims Partnership

Bedfordshire Victims Partnership is working together to, improve services and care for victims, present a unified approach and ensure that the voices and experiences of victims is heard. They are a Partnership made up of over 20 member organisations working to support and provide services to victims in Bedfordshire.

Luton All Women’s Centre

Luton All Women’s Centre was established in 1993 with Luton Borough Council providing the premises and a seconded staff member, and developing additional seconded staff and a steering group which successfully worked with the Council for over 10 years, developing services and activities for local Women.  The work of the Centre has evolved from an informal ‘drop-in’ venue, to one of structured delivery organised to tackle problems that affect the quality of life wellbeing.

Victim Support

Victim Support is a charity which helps people affected by crime in England and Wales. They give free and confidential support to help you deal with what you’ve been through as a victim or witness, whether or not you report the crime to the police.

Well Springs

Well Springs has partnered with Restorative Solutions who will be supporting the development of Restorative provisions locally in Bedfordshire. Restorative Justice (RJ) gives victims a voice and a chance to be heard and to feel as though they are part of the sentencing process. Evidence shows that face-to-face RJ helps heal the psychological effects suffered by victims of crime or harm.