Transport and Logistics Network
“We would like you to take on board what the survey said rather than trying to knock it back”
Ian Dalgarno. Screenshot Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Thursday, 23rd November 2023 Image: LDRS
Bedfordshire’s dep…
Have you seen her?
The teenager was last seen at her home in Bedford yesterday (Tuesday) and police think she is still in the area.
She is described as 5ft 6in with very long braided black hair. She is likely wearing a dark blue hoodie with a fur col…
POLICE investigating a fail-to-stop collision in Bedworth have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Officers and ambulance staff were called to the junction of Dark Lane and Goodyers End Lane shortly after 8pm on Monday (November 27) where they foun…
She was verbally abused there… and it’s not the first time either
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A trans woman left shaken after being verbally abused at Bedford[2] bus station has called for security to make shoppers and passengers feel safe.
Katie Riley was approached by a gang of four while standing with her friend at 6.50pm on a busy Saturday – with one man singling her out.
22 sexual misconduct allegations made against Bedfordshire Police
[3]
Katie Riley thinks Bedford bus station needs security
She said: “He first mistook me for a cis woman, when my friend explained we were trans, and I’m transitioning, his face changed immediately. He then started asking obviously provocative questions, have I got male genitals and have I had an operation.”
He even tried to pull her hair to see if it was real or not.
“The others were not really involved in the abuse. Just him. He was obviously drunk and high. I could smell weed as soon as I walked through the sliding doors in the station itself. They were openly smoking joints and drinking alcohol.”
The incident has left Katie shaken and angry, prompting her to complain to Bedford Borough Council[4] – which part owns the station along with Stagecoach[5] – in the hope something will be done.
And the 47-year-old – who was too scared to approach police for fear of reprisals – says it’s part of a wider problem at the station.
“This isn’t the first time either. There are no security or staff to ask for help, and everybody just stares into their phones and pretends it’s not happening.
“A few weeks back I was sat waiting for the Brickhill bus and a guy sat next to me. He put his hand on my thigh and I immediately stood up and said ‘what the hell do you think you’re doing?’”
The ongoing incidents have left Katie often too scared to go out, especially to the bus station which she says “is terrifying in the daylight hours, let alone in the evening”.
She said: “It’s like the wild west down there, it’s terrible. I’d like to see a security person there who would make sure passengers and shoppers are safe. It’s extremely intimidating, especially in the evenings. Or at least a regular police patrol, I can’t believe they just sit there doing this type of stuff without reprisals.”
So far, the council haven’t responded to Katie but a spokesman told Bedford Today: “We don’t want anybody to feel intimidated or unwelcome in our town centre spaces. If anyone is a victim of harassment, or other violent, threatening or abusive behaviour, we advise them to call Bedfordshire Police in the first instance.
“There are CCTV[6] cameras in the bus station. If Ms Riley is able to provide more information about the incident, such as a description of the offenders, then we will study CCTV footage from the time of the incident and will be happy to support any police investigation.
“Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if you think there is a crime in progress. Call 101 to contact the police if the incident is not an emergency or visit here[7].”
We’ve also approached Stagecoach for a comment.
Katie added: “I’m not hugely confident going into town, especially in the evening. I use the bus to go shopping out of town, as I want to avoid this situation and these type of people. It’s left me shaken and scared to go out, which is wrong. Nobody, no matter who they are, should have to put up with this.”
The crash, involving the Piaggio moped and a BMW 1 series car, happened between 5pm and 5.22pm on Tuesday November 21, at the junction of Green End and Fairfield.
The moped rider, a man his 20s, was taken to hospital for treatment, where he remains. …
A dad was left with potentially serious injuries after a hit and run in Bedworth[1]. Warwickshire Police[2] has confirmed that a man was left needing hospital treatment following the incident at the junction of Dark Lane and Goodyers End Lane last nigh…
Just two police officers were dismissed
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A total of 22 sexual misconduct allegations were made against Bedfordshire Police in the last year, new data from PersonalInjuryClaimsUK.org.uk[2] has revealed.
Four of those complaints were received from members of the public between October 2022 to October 2023 – two allegations related to inappropriate sexualised behaviour, whilst another involved a sexual assault allegation. A further incident was reported to the force regarding sexual harassment.
Police renew appeal over serious sexual assault in Bedford town centre
[3]
22 sexual misconduct allegations were made against Bedfordshire Police between October 2022 to October 2023
Out of the 18 complaints received from staff in the same period, around 44% related to sexual misconduct whilst 27% involved a sexual assault allegation.
Complaints were also made by staff alleging rape and sexual harassment, with both incident types each making up 11% of allegations. One incident involved an allegation of abuse of position for sexual gain.
Just two police officers were dismissed from Bedfordshire Police during this period.
A spokesperson from the Criminal Injury Team at JF Law – which works closely with the PersonalInjuryClaimsUK.org.uk[4] brand – said: “The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and recent high-profile cases have brought sexual and physical abuse to the forefront of public policy.
“Many people are not aware that there does not need to be a conviction to claim. This means that even for those victims let down by the criminal justice system, there is still an opportunity to obtain a financial remedy which may help victims achieve a sense of closure.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Will Hodgkinson, head of Professional Standards at Bedfordshire Police, said: “We know that our public rightly expect policing to uphold the highest standards. This is why the Professional Standards Department (PSD) work incredibly hard and diligently when investigating matters of misconduct and public complaints.
“To support our focus on standards Bedfordshire Police have a complete focus on developing a culture where colleagues feel supported, empowered and confident to call out concerns to allow us to identify anyone who may pose a risk to the public, or officers and staff. The systems we have in place are robust and subject to levels of challenge and assurance so that we ensure everyone is fit to serve within Bedfordshire Police.”
Ten people have been arrested in a cross-county crime crack-down.
Officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and Tactical Operations team launched a three-day operation in an effort to combat burglaries, thefts of high-value vehicles, m…
Police are seeking witnesses to a hit-and-run crash on a residential street which left a pedestrian in his sixties in hospital.Emergency services were called to the junction of Dark Lane and Goodyers End Lane in Bedworth, Warwickshire, just after 20:00…
Police were called to reports of a collision involving a blue Yamaha motorcycle and red Honda Civic around 12.16pm on Saturday, November 25.
The incident took place on Lowfields Way, Elland.
The motorcyclist was taken to hospital by ambulance with lif…