Five boys arrested as the force continues to tackle robberies

Five boys have been arrested for a series of robberies across the south of the county.

Under targeted operations to tackle such offences, officers first arrested three teenagers on Tuesday (4 November) following two separate knife-point robberies in Luton the day before.

Bedfordshire Police’s guns and gangs team Boson discovered stolen property and machetes while executing arrest warrants.

All three were charged yesterday (Thursday) and remanded in custody.

In Dunstable, two teenagers were arrested in connection with six knife-point robberies across two days this week.

They remain in custody for questioning.

While the force is continuing to crackdown on offenders, it is also educating the public on some of the ways criminals can take advantage.

Officers are continuing to carry out high visibility patrols and targeted operations to catch offenders and deter crime and are urging the public to stay vigilant during darker evenings where criminals take the opportunity to commit personal robberies.

Partnerships with local authorities to build long-term safety measures are also being looked into.

Superintendent Ian Taylor said: “These arrests are a clear demonstration of our commitment to tackling serious violence and protecting our communities.

“The use of weapons to intimidate and carry out robberies is deeply concerning, and we will continue to take robust action against those responsible.

“Our teams are working tirelessly through targeted operations, high visibility patrols and close partnership working to prevent further offences and keep people safe.

“We also want to empower the public with practical advice to help reduce the risk of becoming a target.

“By staying alert and reporting suspicious activity, we can all play a part in building a safer Bedfordshire.”

To help protect yourself and your belongings, the following advice has been issued:

Unattended valuables

Phones, cameras or laptops left unattended, or in plain sight, are an easy target for criminals who wouldn’t think twice about snatching them.

Be aware of your surroundings. Try to put your devices away when you’ve finished using them.

Protect yourself from street robbery – know where you’re going

Plan your route and think about what to take with you, especially if you’re going somewhere you haven’t been before.

Where you can, keep to busy, well-lit streets, walkways and paths which are more likely to be covered by CCTV.

Only take licensed taxis or minicabs booked by phone or a mobile phone app.

Stay alert and report anything suspicious.

Tell-tale signs of ATM fraud

Things to look out for are devices attached to the machine – some are more obvious than others. If you do see something suspicious contact the police and the bank.

Remember, if it doesn’t look or feel right then steer clear and, if possible, go inside the bank where it will be safer. And always keep a regular check on your transactions.

You can find out more information on how to protect yourself on our website: Personal safety: how to stay safe | Bedfordshire Police

If you have been a victim of robbery, please contact Bedfordshire Police via 101, or 999 in an emergency.

You can also report anti-social and suspicious activity on: Report antisocial behaviour | Bedfordshire Police

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