Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Garry Forsyth has announced he is stepping down from his role after five years with the force.
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He has 28 years’ service with policing across a number of forces including West Midlands Police and the Met and joined Bedfordshire as Deputy Chief Constable in 2017, becoming Chief two years later. Mr Forsyth has helped turn Bedfordshire Police around to become recognised as one of the country’s leading forces across a range of […]
PCC expresses sincere thanks to multi-faith communities at event in Luton
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The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) hosted their first-ever multi-faith conference in Bedfordshire last week with over 100 attendees from different faith groups. The aim of the event was to give all faith groups the opportunity to hear from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Bedfordshire Police while last getting the […]
PCC goes on the buses with powerful domestic abuse campaign
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In a first for the county, the Bedfordshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), is reaching into new audiences with a bus and audio campaign to highlight the support that is available to people affected by domestic abuse. The campaign, which launched on Monday 6 June, is aimed at three groups of people – victims […]
School Absence needs a common national framework to better protect children
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A few weeks ago, I walked into the office of Bedfordshire Police’s Missing Person’s Unit to find out what they know about young people who go missing. Prior to this unannounced visit, I have been visiting at least two to three schools each week as Police and Crime Commissioner, engaging with pupils and some truly […]
PCC invites schools to become part of the solution in reducing crime in Beds
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The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), and VERU (Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit) will be hosting a joint Youth Conference for Year 9 students across Bedfordshire. This will be a first for the OPCC with the aim of the event being to reach youths who would like to be part of the […]
PCC thanks Bedfordshire Police for delivering ‘vital project’ on time as state-of-the-art custody building opens
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The 22-cell custody block and additional office space was officially opened on Thursday (21 April) by Chief Constable Garry Forsyth, Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye, High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford and the Vice Lord-Lieutenant Chris Sharwood-Smith MBE. Developers Wilmott Dixon have spent the last two years building the multi-million-pound custody block, after the […]
Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Funding Opportunity
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The Home Office have confirmed that £147m of funding will be committed, until the end of 2024/25 for victim services. The money will fund emotional, practical, and therapeutic support for victims of crime such as women and girls affected by domestic abuse. Funding allocation from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is broken down as follows: […]
New funding to support victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence will be ‘instrumental’ says Beds PCC
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Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Festus Akinbusoye, believes securing additional funding for victims of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence will be instrumental in tackling these crimes across the county. The Home Office have confirmed that £147m of funding will be committed, until the end of 2024/25 for victim services. The money will fund emotional, […]
Beds PCC ‘thrilled’ that Bedfordshire Police have been rated ‘outstanding’ for their management of offenders
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Bedfordshire Police received the grading following an inspection by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). PCC Festus Akinbusoye said: “The grading was part of a PEEL report which rates us as a force on police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy. “I am thrilled that we have been rated as ‘Outstanding’ for […]
Beds PCC ‘thrilled’ VERU team recognised by the Home Office with three-year funding announcement
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It marks the longest funding settlement yet for the county’s Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit (VERU), which had been awarded year-on-year funding for its three years of operation so far. In a further boost for efforts to tackle violent crime in Bedfordshire, local police have also been awarded £521,000 of government funding next year to […]