Bedfordshire Crimestoppers have produced a high impact short viral film (You Tube) which depicts the horror of coming home to a burgled home.

The new film highlights that if people do not want to go the to Police they can safely give any information they have to Crimestoppers anonymously. The independent charity never asks a caller for their name or takes any personal details. They do not trace or record calls either and those giving information do not have to go to court. In the 24 years that Crimestoppers has been running they have never broken their promise of anonymity and no-one has ever been identified.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, explained why it is important for the charity to tackle burglary:

"Being burgled does not just rob you of your personal possessions, but it can rob you of feeling safe and secure in your own home. Coming home to a bedroom which has been ripped apart is devastating and feels like such an invasion of privacy. The public can play their part in bringing these burglars to justice by contacting Crimestoppers and stopping their reign of terror".

Tony Lloyd, Chairman of Bedfordshire Crimestoppers and producer of the film, explained why the film is important:

"We always need to think of new ways to communicate with the public about what we do. This innovative film will hopefully reach many more people and encourage them to make that vital phone call. Crimestoppers plays a major part in the fight against burglary and handling stolen goods. Last year the charity received 5442 pieces of actionable information about burglaries and theft, leading to 608 arrests and charges across the UK. Every single call can make a difference and get another burglar off the street"  

The independent charity Crimestoppers allows people to give information 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the Crimestoppers website if they feel unable to go to Police.

Community payback is a tough and visible consequence for people who have committed a crime. Offenders can be sentenced by the courts to carry out up to 300 hours unpaid work for the community and in Bedfordshire, more than 100,000 hours of community payback are completed every year by offenders on a community sentence.

Community payback projects range from litter-removal to clearing dense undergrowth and environmental projects through repairing and redecorating community centres to removing graffiti. Offenders usually work as part of a team, monitored by a supervisor, and will work all day with short breaks, although there are some opportunities for individual placements.

Bedfordshire Probation's Community Payback team assess project ideas submitted by the public and other organisations for suitability and for health and safety implications.

More information

Community payback in Totternhoe

Bedfordshire Police offer advice on:

• Safer homes
• Mobile phones
• Internet security
• Credit card fraud
• Personal safety
• Vehicle security

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust offer advice and information on staying safe and personal safety. 

Vulnerable and older people can get a free security check and home improvements from the Bobby Van team, supported by the Bedfordshire Police Partnership Trust and Bedfordshire Police.  A visit from the Bobby Van will improve your home's security and provide advice to prevent bogus callers from achieving their aim. 

For more information please contact 01234 842619, 01234 842612 or 01582 39403.

We also have more information on our website about staying safe.

Fire kills: you can find out about fire safety in your home, and fire safety outside your home on the Direct.gov website

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service: locally in Bedfordshire you can get help and assistance via Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service including information about home safety checks.

Watch schemes are locally run groups. Members of our community work together to support, make a difference and assist their local areas. To be effective against crime they plan action in co-operation with the police, and other partners such as the Community Safety Partnership.

Watch schemes in the area include:

• Business watch
• Countryside watch
• Faith watch
• Horse watch
• Neighbourhood watch
• Pub watch
• Schools watch
• Student watch

Further information

Watch schemes in Central Bedfordshire

Neighbourhood watch national website

Street watch is a scheme run by the local community with members of the scheme 'walking' their local area, taking responsibility and helping to tackle low level issues that impact most in their communities 

Community Safety Groups are run by the local community who take an active interest in their area.  Support is given by the group for projects to assist their immediate area and there is liaison with partners agencies such as the Police, Local Authority and Fire Service in areas that need to be tackled together (fire hazards, crime hotspots, parking issues etc). 

To find out more about Community Safety Groups please contact Community Safety on 0300 300 8302.  To see the type of joined up work that takes place, please click here for the Ampthill Community Safety Group who are one of our active Community Safety Groups in Central Bedfordshire. 

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 brings in new structural arrangements for national policing, strategic police decision-making, neighbourhood policing and policing accountability.  Principal amongst these changes will be the abolishment of Police Authorities and the election of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across England and Wales.  PCC elections took place on 15th November 2012. 

The first elected PCC for Bedfordshire is Mr Olly Martins.

Some of the responsibilities of a PCC are:

• Appoint the Chief Constable and hold them to account for the running of their police force
• Set a five year Police and Crime Plan determining local policing priorities
• Set the annual local precept and annual force budget
• Working with partners, making community safety grants to tackle crime and disorder 

The Central Bedfordshire Prospectus has been created to provide an overview of Central Bedfordshire and high level information at a glance, in order to raise the awareness on Central Bedfordshire’s issues.  To download a copy click on the PDF attachment below.    

Central Bedfordshire Prospectus (PDF 779KB)

Find out more information about the PCC in Bedfordshire

Find out more information about PCCs across England and Wales