Formed 1966 Phone +44 1234 841212 Annual budget 102.9 million GBP Unsworn members 230 | Population 582,600 Stations 11 Founded 1966 | |
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Preceding agencies Bedfordshire Constabulary
Luton Borough Police Legal personality Governmental: Government agency Operations jurisdiction* Ceremonial county of Bedfordshire in the country of England, United Kingdom General nature Law enforcement
Local civilian police Address 9AX,, Woburn Rd, Kempston, Bedford MK43, United Kingdom Motto Protecting People and Fighting Crime Together Similar Bedfords Police Headqua, Cambridg Constabu, Wellingb Police Station, Dunstable Police Station, Bedfords Police ‑ Kempsto Profiles | ||
Bedfordshire police police harassment
Bedfordshire Police, is the territorial police force responsible for policing the ceremonial county of Bedfordshire in England, which includes the unitary authorities of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton. Its headquarters are based in Kempston, Bedfordshire.
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Bedfordshire police take down a suspect
History
A professional police force was established in Bedfordshire in 1839, under the County Police Act 1839, replacing the earlier system of elected parish constables. It initially comprised a chief constable, who was based in Ampthill, 6 superintendents and 40 constables. Constables were paid 19 shillings a week, which was nearly twice the typical wage of an agricultural labourer in the county at that time.
There was an independent Luton Borough Police from 1876 to 1947, and then from 1964 to 1966, when it amalgamated with Bedfordshire Constabulary, which was then known as the Bedfordshire and Luton Constabulary until 1974. In 1965, Bedfordshire Constabulary had an establishment of 497 and an actual strength of 430.
On 11 June 2007 PC Jon Henry, was fatally stabbed whilst on duty in the town centre of Luton by a Nigerian immigrant, Tennyson Obih. Obih was convicted of his murder, along with the attempted murder and wounding with intent of two other men that he stabbed on the same morning.
Bedfordshire Police has collaborated several specialist units with Hertfordshire Constabulary and Cambridgeshire Constabulary including Major Crime, Dogs, Firearms and Roads Policing.
The force also leads regional units including Eastern Region Special Operations Unit and Eastern Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit with forces in Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
In June 2015, the force implemented a new operating model – which comprises north and south bases and aims to increase the number of warranted officers in local communities.
Bedfordshire Police publish results of cases on their official website such as the drug gang who were jailed for 39 years.
Bedfordshire Police's Cadets have recently scooped a National Award for their outstanding contribution to helping to reduce crime and creating a safer community.
In 2014 Bedfordshire Police took the unprecedented move to allow cameras into the force 24/7 to film a fly-on-the-wall documentary capturing some of the issues faced by police officers today. The last series ended in June 2016 but more episodes are planned for the near future. Read more about the documentary 24hrs in Police Custody
In July 2015, Bedfordshire Police was the first force in the country to secure a Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) protection order. The court order allowed officers to seize the passports of two young girls who it was thought were being taken to Africa.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jul/17/police-obtain-first-fgm-protection-order
On 15 November 2016, Bedfordshire Police posted a tweet to support Islamophobia Awareness Month. The image accompanying the tweet showed a hand with raised finger - a symbol used by ISIS (Daesh). The tweet was removed following complaints and Bedfordshire Police commented:
'It has come to our attention the pointing finger logo used to illustrate social media posts around Islamophobia Awareness Month is similar to that used by ISIS. The logo was produced by a national charity and was used in good faith. As a consequence and to avoid offence, Bedfordshire Police has deleted these posts and will not tolerate Islamophobia or any other form of hatred or discrimination.'
Equipment
Like other UK police forces, Bedfordshire Police officers are not routinely armed. The force employs AFO's to deal with firearms incidents in the area. However all (except PCSO's) officers are equipped with Hiatt Speedcuffs, PAVA incapacitant spray, Velcro fastwrap leg restraints and spit hoods. Some officers are also equipped with the TASERX26 electroshock weapon.
Governance
The first Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner is Olly Martins, who was elected on 15 November 2012 and took office on 21 November 2012. The police and crime commissioner is scrutinised by the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel, made up of elected councillors from the local authorities in the police area. Before November 2012 the Bedfordshire Police Authority was the police governance. On 5 May 2016 Kathryn Holloway became the second Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner after winning the vote against Olly Martins.
View the Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan 2016
Our Force Control Strategy determines our operational priorities, helping us to effectively protect people and fight crime together.