Police Response Provides Public Reassurance Overnight

Posted on August 9, 2011

Extra officers were deployed to known hotspot areas in Bedfordshire during the night and as a result disrupted any potential for disorder that may have occurred.

Speculation on social media sites that 'rioting' had begun in Bedford and Luton was untrue and messages were quickly posted by the Force Communications team via Twitter and Facebook to reassure communities that all was quiet across the county. Public appreciation for these messages has since been re posted.

While there was no disorder, reports of a couple of small fires being started were received, which the Fire Service responded to as 'business as usual'. One was at Leagrave Motors in Sundon Park Road at around midnight and a bin fire at Arrow Close, both in Luton sometime later. No other incidents were reported and no one was injured.

While events are on-going in London and cities elsewhere, Bedfordshire Police has also taken the precautionary measure and requested fuel stations do not to sell jerry cans or containers of fuel.

The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Civil Contingencies and Public Order Planning Unit also sent a Police Support Unit (PSU) to assist the Metropolitan Police operation in London. Custody space and call taking support was also offered.

Anyone with information that could assist police in their prevention of disorder should call the main switchboard on 01234 841212, text to 07786 200011 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.