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MID BEDS EDITION
ISSN 2634-453X
SEPTEMBER 2021
POLICE FUNDING IN BEDFORDSHIRE TO BE REVIEWED? POLICING in Bedfordshire is underfunded by a quarter of the resources the county force needs, a meeting heard. The funding formula for police forces under which Bedfordshire is treated as a rural setting could be reviewed during the current Parliament, according to Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye (pictured).
“That’s the first time I’ve ever had that kind of reassurance,” he told a Biggleswade Town Council meeting. “The funding formula is an issue,” he explained. “It’s one of the reasons why in Bedfordshire, we’re funded as a rural location rather than an urban area. “There are the real challenges (locally) of many of the large
by Euan Duncan – Local Democracy Reporter
towns in the country. I’ve been informed by the Home Office this is an issue which is going to be resolved hopefully during this Parliament. “And what it means is we’ll be in a position where once and for all we’ve the beginning of an adequate level of policing.” Mr Akinbusoye was invited to speak to town councillors and answered questions which focused on police funding and town centre disorder. Councillor Duncan Strachan described Bedfordshire Police as “25 per cent underfunded because of the formula, which is totally and utterly wrong”. He said: “We’ll give you every support we can to enable you to get that funding because it’s absolutely essential for
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Man jailed for sexual assault
A MAN from Shefford was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of a young girl and possession of indecent images. Justin Sandilands, 43, of Church Street, Shefford, was jailed at Luton Crown Court for a child sexual offence dating back to 2019. The victim disclosed the offence to a family member, who then informed the police. Upon his arrest a number of digital devices were seized which were then examined by Bedfordshire Police’s Digital Forensic Unit. After the content of these devices was reviewed by investigators, thousands of indecent images of children and extreme
pornography were discovered. Sandilands was sentenced to 42 months for one count of sexual
assault, and was also sentenced to further six months for possession of indecent images offences. Investigating Officer Michela Zasada, from the force’s Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAIT), said: “Sandilands not only actively looked for and downloaded thousands of images of children, he also assaulted a young girl for his own sexual gratification. “I applaud the courage of the victim who came forward and supported our investigation which resulted in Sandilands being brought to justice. He will now spend time behind bars where he will be unable to cause any more harm.”
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sport See pages 15 & 16 for reports of the Waders’ recent matches
Stagecoach announce new service to Bedford
STAGECOACH are making several modifications to routes in north east Bedfordshire linking Biggleswade, Potton and Sandy with Bedford. The new 72 route will operate direct between Biggleswade, Potton and Sandy, serving the Market Square, Willow Road, Mill Lane and Newtown in Potton before operating straight to Sandy and then on to Bedford. This route will facilitate more sustainable travel as well as improved links for students attending Bedford schools and colleges and residents attending Bedford Hospital.
The 72 route will also incorporate school movements between Potton and Stratton Upper School in Biggleswade at peak times. The 72 and 73 services will have a slight route change around Sandy to simplify the route. Journeys will now operate via Sunderland Road, improving links to Bedford, Potton and Biggleswade for customers in Dapifer Drive and Berwick Way as well as improving transport links for workers at the Sunderland Road Industrial area. Existing stops at Fallowfield and Engayne Avenue will be retained on all journeys.