Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Bedfordshire Police have defended not attending a public meeting about anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Bedford Town Centre, saying “they weren’t invited”, despite the meeting being open to “anyone interested” in improving Bedford Town Centre.
The meeting at Real Coffee on Bedford High Street last night (24 July) was called to discuss a pilot security patrol that it’s hoped will act as ‘scarecrows’, showing those behind anti-social behaviour that they are being monitored and are not welcome.
Read: “We’re reclaiming our town” Bedford unites in powerful public meeting on crime and safety
Organisers said they hoped someone connected to Bedfordshire Police would attend so they could listen to the stories of ASB in the town from business owners and shoppers. However, despite details of the open meeting being widely publicised, no one attended.
More than 100 people packed into the coffee shop owned by local businessman Peter McCormack, who is funding the security patrols pilot throughout August.
These included the Mayor, Borough Councillors, and representatives from various charities and social care groups, who, we are told, also did not receive an invitation.
Visual deterrent
At the meeting, McCormack, who also owns Real Bedford FC, outlined the reasons behind his decision to finance the pilot project.
“This is about reclaiming our town,” McCormack said. “If people don’t feel safe, they won’t come into town. And if they don’t come into town, our businesses die.”
The month-long pilot scheme starting on Saturday, 2 August, will see private security personnel from Belmont Guard patrolling various areas around the town every Saturday in August between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.
“We’re not here to be forceful,” said Jason D’Silva, director at Belmont Guard. “We’re a visual deterrent. We’ll wear body cams, log incidents, and pass intelligence to the police. We’re here to help people feel safe.”
The Bedford Independent contacted both the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Bedfordshire Police to ask why they didn’t attend.
The OPCC replied that the PCC “was not invited to the meeting, and does not attend every meeting called at whim by individuals.”
Adding, “We must ensure that Bedford Town Centre and every area of our county are safe, and that residents, visitors and businesses feel safe. This is why we have a publicly funded, publicly accountable, and publicly authorised police service. This is the British way.
“There is no place for privately funded security on the streets – in shops, yes, but on the streets, no.”
No invite
Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Jaki Whittred of Bedfordshire Police said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by residents in Bedford regarding the town centre, as we have an active community team who spend their time engaging with the public every day.
“Unfortunately, we did not receive an invite to the meeting on Thursday, but we are keen to attend any future meetings so that we can continue to listen and respond to concerns made, as well as share information on the work that we are doing in the town centre.
“In the meantime, we will be continuing to work with residents and business owners to address these issues together.”
Bedfordshire Police, the PCC, Bedford Borough Council, and other public bodies are currently collaborating on a Summer Policing Plan.
Read: Bedfordshire Police face criticisms head on with launch of Summer Policing Plan
Under the banner of #TogetherForBedfordshire, the county-wide campaign brings police, local councils, community groups, and the Police and Crime Commissioner together to tackle seasonal rises in crime and anti-social behaviour.
The initiative aims to increase police visibility, strengthen ties with local residents and businesses, and ensure a response tailored to the distinct needs of each area, from busy town centres to rural villages.
The PCC seemed to draw on this collaboration in his response to our enquiries, stating that instead of privately funded security, “The council could employ more enforcement officers to work with the police…”.
He added, “Bedfordshire Police are working in partnership with Bedford Borough Council on our Safer Streets, Safer Town Centres summer initiative.
“This includes additional police patrols, joint work with the council and the police to tackle issues such as antisocial behaviour, aggressive begging, on-street drug and alcohol misuse and retail crime.”
Summer Policing Plan
Bedfordshire Police also provided statistics from the summer policing plan, which the PCC says is having a “positive impact”.
This includes:
- Three viable firearms seized from a property in Bedford after a car was stopped by officers and found to contain drugs
- A further two men charged with drug offences following a warrant in Aelfric Court, Bedford
- Another charged after he was stopped in the town centre after a bag was found nearby containing more than 70 wraps of suspected class A drugs
Chief Superintendent Jaki Whittred added, “A day of action held by our community officers in the town centre yesterday (Thursday) resulted in three arrests and we assisted the council with tackling anti-social behaviour in Dane Street.”
Read: Businessman to pilot private security for Bedford town centre, PCC calls it a ‘political stunt’
In response to the reasons for not attending, Peter McCormack, who organised the meeting, said, “I’d like to thank the Mayor, local councillors, and all concerned residents and business owners who attended the open meeting, despite not receiving a personal invitation.
“Everyone was welcome, and I’m grateful they showed up.”
Tizard, however, who has previously called the patrols a “political stunt”, said today, “There is no place for political stunts and assertions which could undermine effective policing and make people feel less safe.”
“There is equally no place for anyone to exaggerate or spread misinformation about the town centre and public safety. This is unfair on local residents and those who visit or work in the town.
“Politicians nationally and locally, and those with political platforms should be very careful with the words they use; and the actions they take.”
