Victims of continuous anti-social behaviour are facing severe mental health issues and are living in hell, Victims’ Commissioner Baroness Newlove has warned.

A consultation over the future of roof signs on Bedford’s private hire vehicles is set to take place after a meeting heard people don’t always understand the difference between them and hackney carriage-type taxis. The Bedford Action Group campaign group has said this can threaten a private hire vehicle driver’s safety when they lawfully refuse […]

Upon their much-anticipated return to the Eyrie, Bedford Town breezed past Birmingham-based Redditch United 2-0 with goals in either half for Rob Howard and Leon Lobjoit and are now just two points off the playoff spots...

Bedford Blues' Championship season kicked off with a bonus-point 45-19 victory against Caldy in front of a bouncing Goldington Road crowd on Saturday afternoon, giving Mike Rayer the perfect start...

A wonderful strike from the halfway line from Real Bedford talisman, Ben Stevens was the highlight of another successful evening's work at the Ledger Stadium as they saw off Leighton Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round...

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Virtual parking permits will streamline the application process and reduce paper waste, according to the council.

The climate and nature crisis, "may not feel as urgent as a terrorist or an imperialist autocrat. But it is more fundamental. It is systemic. It’s pervasive. And accelerating towards us at pace”...

The future of an ambulance call centre in Bedford is under threat as the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) says it’s considering “all options” for the site.

The incident occurred on 15 July 2022, when CCTV footage captured a person entering the play park at Rushmore Park (off Rushmore Close), followed shortly by a Ford Transit Tipper. The vehicle was recorded unloading a significant amount of builders’ waste onto the public playing field.

Through the CCTV footage, Mr Simon Hartwell, of Stuart Street, Luton, was identified as the registered keeper of the Ford Transit Tipper. The person seen in the footage had a distinctive neck tattoo that matched Mr Hartwell's, leading to his identification.

In response to the fly-tipping, the parish council promptly arranged for the waste to be removed, incurring a cost of £1,200.

Mr Hartwell was requested to attend an interview on 18 November 2022 but failed to appear, prompting us to begin legal proceedings.

In April 2024, Mr Hartwell admitted guilt at Luton Magistrates' Court. This week, he was sentenced to a three-year community order involving 150 hours of unpaid work. He has also been instructed to forfeit his van and pay costs totalling £1,500 within the next 12 months. Additionally, he must fulfil a five-day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and participate in an accredited program to address the factors that led to his offense. He is also required to attend supervision appointments with the Probation Service.

Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member responsible for Community Safety, stated:

We are dedicated to ensuring that our communities remain safe, clean, and enjoyable for all residents of Central Bedfordshire. This successful prosecution, and the heavy sentence imposed, underscores our commitment to tackling fly-tipping and serves as a strong warning: if you engage in illegal dumping, you will be held accountable.

We're urging communities to work together and share information to help catch fly-tippers. Find out how to report fly-tipping.

CCTV shows a serial shoplifter wearing a large floppy hat while stealing £1,500 worth of designer bags from TK Maxx.

Bedford’s Winter Wonderland has submitted a planning application for this year’s event. The organisers are seeking temporary permission for an observation wheel, ice rink, fair rides, Christmas grotto and maze, food court...

The phrase 'Friday Night Lights' is one usually associated with a cracking atmosphere at the home of Bedford Blues, Goldington Road, but for the first time, Real Bedford are hosting a Friday night game as they host Leighton Town...

A consultation over the future of roof signs on Bedford’s private hire vehicles is set to take place as a meeting heard people don’t always understand the difference between them and taxis.

Our 12 libraries each hosted a variety of activities, including crafting and colouring sessions, LEGO and DUPLO play sessions, creative writing workshops and board game sessions, alongside the annual Summer Reading Challenge, encouraging children to explore a world of books and storytelling.

One parent who attended Sandy Library said:

We always have such a wonderful experience. The Summer Reading Challenge, crafts and treasure hunts help to promote a love of reading for children. The staff are always extremely friendly and helpful. Thank you so much for all you do!

Our children’s centres also ran free and low-cost activities, encouraging families to spend time outside with outdoor exploration sessions, woodland walks and picnics. There were also a range of messy play sessions, playtime fun sessions and ‘mini chef’ sessions where children could make pizza and fruit kebabs and learn about healthy eating.

One parent said:

I have attended some summer activities, and it is brilliant what the children’s centre does. There are so many young families in Marston Moretaine, and we go along to the weekly group there and love having this session - it’s a lifeline to meet other mums.

There were also activities running over the summer for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). There were swimming sessions at our leisure centres, providing an opportunity for families to share the pool exclusively for an hour with other children and young people with SEND and their families. Our children’s centres also continued running their regular ‘Stay and Play in our own way’ sessions so children with SEND could explore a range of sensory activities as well as outdoor play.

One parent said:

There has been a good amount and variety of activities thought out the summer something for everyone on most days. I have also attended the SEND session, and it is great that these continue through the summer holidays.

Councillor Steve Owen, our Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:

We are so pleased that so many families enjoyed the activities this summer. By offering free and low-cost events, we made sure that every child had access to fun, enriching experiences during the holidays.

It’s wonderful to see our libraries and children’s centres buzzing with energy and helping families connect with their community. These activities have made a real difference, giving children new opportunities to learn, socialise, and stay active over the summer.

Bedfordshire’s chief constable will “retire” in October before returning to the post, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) has announced. Police officers usually retire after completing three decades with policing, but a scheme...

Fill in our ‘Silent Crime’ survey to help us highlight unreported crimes, and crimes that are looked into with no further action, in Bedfordshire.

My mum was robbed at knifepoint while walking her dog in our local park on Sunday lunchtime.

Unreported and unpunished crime “undermines the whole system of justice”, a political economist has said.

Planning for a new Bedford KFC drive-thru has been delayed so councillors can check road safety and traffic concerns for themselves. Monday’s (16 September) Planning Committee heard...

While the majority of the nation's sport lovers gear up for a new football and rugby season, one Bedfordian is making headlines in a sport rarely featured among the headlines in the world of roller hockey...

Bedford Ladies Tug of War side have cemented their place as one of the strongest sides in the world in winning a World silver medal in the 540kg weight class at the Tug of War World Championships in Mannheim, Germany...

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to harness the power of nature and create stunning cyanotype prints using sunlight, here’s your chance.

Bedfordshire’s deputy police and crime commissioner (DPCC) has said “more needs to be done” to make it easier to report violence against women and children.