Update from Bedfordshire PCC on interim leadership arrangements for Bedfordshire Police
Following the announcement that Chief Constable Garry Forsyth is retiring in the new year, some interim leadership arrangements need to be put into place. From 26 September 2022, Deputy Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst will become the Acting Chief Constable for Bedfordshire Police. Assistant Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic, currently Head of the Eastern Region […]
Beds PCC launches first Annual Report
Police and Crime Commissioner, Festus Akinbusoye has launched his first Annual Report for 2021-22. The report, published this week, gives an overview of progress made against the PCCs strategic objectives from his Police and Crime Plan. The PCC said: “I am pleased to publish my first Annual Report. I am delighted to say that, with […]
Work experience students ‘wow’ Beds PCC with social campaign
Fifteen teenagers have been given a unique opportunity to find out what working for Bedfordshire Police is like, after the force launched its very own work experience programme. The youngsters from schools across the county enjoyed a packed fortnight of activities at the force’s headquarters in Kempston. They were given behind-the-scenes access to different departments, […]
Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Garry Forsyth has announced he is stepping down from his role after five years with the force.
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 […]
Bedfordshire’s PCC secures additional 1.7 million pounds to support victims of crime
Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Festus Akinbusoye has secured additional funding to support victims of Domestic Abuse (DA) and Sexual Violence (SV). The additional investment received from the Ministry of Justice totals £1,759,689.06 spread over three years, helping local support partners provide the most wide-reaching support services for victims. The Commissioner said “I wholeheartedly […]
PCC expresses sincere thanks to multi-faith communities at event in Luton
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
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 […]
PCC hosts ‘moving and powerful’ event for young people in Bedfordshire
Last week saw the Bedfordshire Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), host their first-ever three-day conference alongside Bedfordshire’s Violence and Exploitation Unit (VERU), for year 9 students across the county. The event aimed to reach young people who would like to be part of the solution in reducing crime in Bedfordshire, and to […]
PCC’s response to National Police Chiefs’ Council Race Action Plan
I want all of our residents in Bedfordshire to know and feel that they will be treated fairly, and in a lawful manner by Bedfordshire Police officers whenever they come into contact with the police. I equally want Bedfordshire Police to enjoy the full confidence of all law-abiding residents, irrespective of their race, gender, religion […]
School Absence needs a common national framework to better protect children
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 […]