Luton News Desk

As part of his election campaign, the Commissioner pledged to run an annual school debating competition for children aged 15-18.  Schools across Bedfordshire have been contacted to take part in the event. Mr Akinbusoye said, “I am delighted that we are proceeding with this event for pupils and we very much welcome all schools to participate.  The debates provide a good opportunity for young people to develop their confidence, public speaking skills and also broaden their knowledge of social issues.  It’s going to be a fun experience for all involved”. The competition is non-party political and the pupils will be required to illustrate views they do not necessarily hold, for the sake of debate.  Marks will be awarded for debating skills, debating style and substance of the argument.  The finalists will receive certificates, with the winning school receiving a £500 donation and the speakers receiving a £50 Amazon voucher each. The dates for each round are as follows: First Round:  Date:

The NHS in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes want to build a new mental health hospital in Bedford and redevelop existing inpatient services in Luton, providing two hospital sites to serve the populations of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton. They want to develop community and inpatient mental health services that deliver the best possible outcomes for the children and young people, adults and older adults that we serve. They have produced a Case for Change outlining why they think a modernisation programme is the right thing to do and are now asking for people to share their views and join the conversation before any decisions are made about taking these ideas forward. They will be speaking with partners, gathering views through a survey and hosting a public engagement event where people can ask questions and share ideas. Find out why they think change will help improve care for the people of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire and Luton. Read Case for Change ( download pdf fil

Attempted murder investigation following Luton shooting Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered gunshot wounds in an incident in Luton. Emergency services were called to reports of a shooting in St Mildred’s Avenue at approximately 5.20pm and a 19-year old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries, which are no longer believed to be life-threatening. A black Audi was seen leaving the scene shortly after the incident. Detective Inspector Mark Butler, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “At this stage we believe this was an isolated incident and we will continue to have increased presence in the area for community reassurance. “We are doing all we can, but we would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet come forward to contact us as a matter of urgency. “We are especially keen to ask people who live, or were travelling in the area, to check their CCTV and dashcam footage to see if it captured the described vehicle or anythi

Two brothers from Luton have been jailed for a total of 11 years for their part in a lucrative drug dealing business, in which they recruited a teenager to do the running on their behalf. Jamie Redmond, 26, and his younger brother Cody Redmond, 23, pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including possessing and conspiring to supply both Class A and Class B drugs. On the evening of 19 October 2019, our officers were on patrol in the Lewsey Farm area of Luton and spotted Cody on a push bike before he headed into a block of flats. Suspecting that he may have been dealing drugs, the officers waited until he left the building and then proceeded to follow him to a nearby alleyway where he tried to hide. After he was detained, officers searched him and found multiple individual deals of cannabis, a set of scales and a dismantled mobile phone, which had its SIM card still intact. He was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis and taken into police custody where furt

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a violent disorder involving nine people. Two victims were stood on Dunstable Road, Luton at the junction with Claremont Road at around 10.45am on Thursday, 9 September. They were then approached by four people from a white Audi A5, who assaulted the two victims. While this was happening another vehicle, a blue Vauxhall Astra, has stopped in the middle of Dunstable Road. Its five occupants have then joined the other four to assault the victims, leaving one of them with serious injuries. Five people have so far been arrested in connection to the incident and released on bail, pending further enquiries. All the suspects in the case are described as Asian men. PC Jordan Lancaster, from Bedfordshire Police’s Crime Investigation Department, said, “This was a large scale and mindless brawl which has left one of the victims with serious injuries, as well as causing a lot of distress and damage. “I am looking to trace further witnesses who