Community safety news

Tuesday, 10 June 2025

We supported national week of action to tackle knife crime

We joined forces with Bedfordshire Police and other partner agencies at the end of May to support Operation Sceptre, a national campaign aimed at tackling knife crime and keeping communities safe.

Monday, 10 March 2025

Council celebrates success in Best Bar None Awards Scheme

A presentation was held recently to celebrate 19 venues across Central Bedfordshire achieving Best Bar None accreditation for 2024.

Thursday, 21 November 2024

Community Safety Team supports knife crime operation

Last week (commencing 11 November), we carried out a range of activity in support of Sceptre, a national initiative designed to highlight the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

Monday, 28 October 2024

Firework season sparks safety checks on retailers

As Bonfire Night approaches, our trading standards officers ramp up safety checks on fireworks retailers. Inspections kick off in late October to prevent unsafe or illegal fireworks from reaching you.

Friday, 27 September 2024

Illegal tobacco and vape seller closed in Leighton Buzzard following community complaints

We have issued a Closure Order against a shop in Leighton Buzzard for selling illegal tobacco and vapes, with the assistance of a sniffer dog during the investigation.

Friday, 24 May 2024

Community Safety team supports police’s knife crime operation

Our Community Safety and Partnerships Team were out and about last week across Central Bedfordshire, supporting Operation Sceptre, a national initiative which aims to tackle knife crime.

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Stotfold dog owner hit with £4k fine for persistent barking nuisance

A dog owner who allowed his barking pet to cause a nuisance to his neighbours has been hit with a fine and court costs totalling over £4,000.

Friday, 12 January 2024

Blue Badge fraud crackdown: driver convicted for misuse of badge

A driver has been convicted for improperly using a disabled person's badge as part of a council-driven effort to tackle Blue Badge disabled parking fraud.

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Firework season sparks retailer checks to ensure public safety

Prior to celebrating Firework Night, our Trading Standards team will conduct visits to firework retailers across the region. Their aim is to prevent dangerous fireworks being sold to the public.

Friday, 22 September 2023

Arlesey Takes Action: Community Action Day to inspire positive changes

A Community Action Day in Arlesey including speed watch patrols, a weapons sweep, and sessions on scam awareness was hailed a success.

Thursday, 24 August 2023

Council reviews restrictions on dogs control orders and alcohol in public areas

We are reviewing our public space protection orders (PSPOs) and people are being asked for their opinions about the review.

Wednesday, 16 August 2023

Community Safety survey launched for young people

We're asking individuals between 11 and 18 years old to take part in our youth survey.

Tuesday, 15 August 2023

Community Action Day in Toddington makes a difference in the community

Weapon sweeps, speed checks, parking enforcement and property protection advice were just some of the activities at the latest Community Action Day in Toddington.

Friday, 9 June 2023

Community Action Event in Dunstable makes a big difference

We recently carried out our first two-day Community Action Event in Dunstable supported by a range partners and volunteers.

Wednesday, 24 May 2023

Community Safety Team assist police with weapons sweep

Our Community Safety Team supported Bedfordshire Police with Operation Sceptre last week (15 to 19 May) – a dedicated week of action to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime.

Tuesday, 1 November 2022

Firework season triggers retailer checks to ensure public safety

The nights are drawing in, there is a chill in the air, and it won't be long before Bonfire Night season is here.

Friday, 28 October 2022

Community Action Day triumph in Potton

We've completed another successful Community Action Day, this time in Potton.

Tuesday, 23 August 2022

Successful Community Action Day in Stotfold

We held an Action Day in Stotfold on Friday 12 August, bringing partners together to make visible improvements to the town and have a positive impact on residents and businesses.

Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Community Safety Team support knife crime week of action

We supported Bedfordshire Police with Operation Sceptre last week (16 to 20 May) – a week of action to tackle knife crime.

Monday, 23 May 2022

We want to hear from under 18s about community issues

We want to hear from under 18s as we launch our Youth Survey, which has been co-designed with young people.

Friday, 6 May 2022

Community action day triumph in Shefford

We're completed another successful community action day, this time in Shefford.

Tuesday, 29 March 2022

We've been awarded government funding to continue support for victims of domestic abuse

We've been granted over £450,000 of government funding to support people experiencing domestic abuse.

Wednesday, 2 March 2022

Sniffer dogs find illegal tobacco in two shops in Dunstable

Sniffer dogs Cooper and Ted have put their noses to good use, helping our Trading Standards team seize a quantity of illegal tobacco in two shops in Dunstable.

Wednesday, 16 February 2022

Can you offer a safe space for people experiencing domestic abuse?

Businesses and community organisations are being asked to consider signing up to our Safe Space scheme, to help people experiencing domestic abuse.

Tuesday, 1 February 2022

We've launched our new Domestic Abuse Strategy

Following a public consultation, we've launched our new Domestic Abuse Strategy for 2022 to 2025.

Thursday, 6 January 2022

Tell us your experiences of cyber crime

We've launched a new cyber crime survey and want to hear your views.

Wednesday, 10 November 2021

Have your say on our proposed Domestic Abuse Strategy

We've launched a public consultation on our new Domestic Abuse Strategy for 2022 to 2025.

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Holiday Inn Express, Dunstable fined for health and safety breach

A serious health and safety breach at the Holiday Inn Express in Dunstable has seen the responsible parties have to pay fines and costs totalling £16,830.

Monday, 25 October 2021

Firework season sparks retailer checks to keep the public safe

The nights are drawing in and there is a chill in the air, and it won't be long before the Halloween, Diwali and Bonfire Night season is upon us.

Wednesday, 13 October 2021

We're celebrating a successful Community Action Day in Flitwick

On Friday 8 October 2021, we held another successful Community Action Day, this time in Flitwick.

Monday, 11 October 2021

Second safety conference a success!

Over 150 people attended our online safety conference, in September.

Wednesday, 22 September 2021

Over 150 people attended our online exploitation conference

Over 150 people joined an online conference yesterday (21 September) to learn about the signs of different types of exploitation including cuckooing, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and forced labour.

Tuesday, 3 August 2021

We're working with businesses to raise awareness of exploitation and domestic abuse

We've spent time visiting local businesses to raise awareness of drug dealing, its associated exploitation and domestic violence.

Thursday, 22 July 2021

Central Bedfordshire Council joins online initiative against domestic abuse and sexual violence

We have added an Online Safe Space to our website to support victims of domestic abuse.

Friday, 16 July 2021

We held our first Community Action Day in Leighton Buzzard

We held our first Community Action Day in Leighton Buzzard earlier this week.

Wednesday, 9 June 2021

Dunstable receives £432,000 boost from Safer Streets Fund

Central Bedfordshire Council has been awarded almost half-a-million pounds in funding, from the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund.

Wednesday, 17 March 2021

Over 250 people sign up for virtual cuckooing conference

Over 250 people signed up to attend our virtual conference, yesterday (Tuesday).

Monday, 8 March 2021

Council to raise awareness of signs of cuckooing with social media campaign

We are is running a social media campaign this week to raise awareness of ‘cuckooing’, so community members can recognise the signs and report any suspicious behaviour.

Friday, 5 February 2021

Community Safety Partnership announces priorities for the next three years: tackling drug dealing, domestic abuse and cyber crime

The Community Safety Partnership (CSP), a partnership of agencies working across Central Bedfordshire, will prioritise tackling drug dealing, domestic abuse and cybercrime over the next three years.

Friday, 29 January 2021