Bedfordshire Police has thanked communities for their support, as the force continues to work to keep the county free from disorder.

Additional officers were in place across Bedfordshire yesterday (Wednesday), after police received intelligence to suggest there could be a possible gathering in Bedford.

Detective Chief Superintendent Duncan Young said: “We’re pleased to confirm there were no reports of disorder across the county yesterday and no arrests were made.

“Although there were some groups of people congregating around the Queen’s Park area, they acted in a lawful and peaceful manner and engaged with officers throughout the evening.

“We’d like to thank all of our communities for their support of our officers out and about yesterday evening and throughout the week. This is a brilliant example of how the police and the public can work together to reject those who seek to cause disorder in our communities, and I hope it provides reassurance to the people of Bedfordshire that we are committed to keeping them safe from harm.

“We’ll be continuing to work hard in coming days to disrupt any other possible violent activity and I’d like to remind people that anyone who takes part in, or incites, this kind of behaviour will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire Police, said: “Good, effective, and responsive policing is vital to ensure our safety and never has this been truer or needed as much as the last few weeks whilst communities across the country have been threatened by racist criminal thuggery. Even when there has been no physical unrest, communities, families, and businesses have been made to feel anxious and threatened. This is simply wrong.

“The police have done some amazing work to keep people safe and to provide reassurance, as they do every day of every week, even when politically inspired criminality is not threatening to erupt on the streets.

“We owe a huge thank you to police officers in Bedfordshire and across the country who have provided reassurance and protection to us through their actions and engagements with the public”.

Anyone who becomes aware of any planned disorder or violence, or witnesses anyone inciting hatred, is asked to call 101 or visit our website. If an incident is in progress please call 999.