Category: Bedford

Scarlett, 16, and Daisy, 14, both from Everton, have been missing since Friday, with police saying the pair are believed to be together and appealing to the public for help in finding them18:02, 31 May 2026Updated 18:03, 31 May 2026Two teenage girls from Everton are missing(Image: Bedfordshire Police)Two teenage girls from Everton who have been missing since Friday are believed to be together, police have said.Officers looking for Scarlett, 16, and Daisy, 14, have appealed to the public for help. The pair – who police said have links to Digbeth, Coventry, London, Liverpool, Manchester Leamington, Nuneton and Bristol – were last seen shortly after 1am on Friday, Liverpool Echo reports.Bedfordshire Police said: “Can you help us find Scarlett, 16 and Daisy, 14 from Everton? The pair were last seen shortly after 1am on Friday (29 May) and are believed to be together with links to the Digbeth area of Birmingham, Coventry, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Leamington Spa, Nuneton, Bristol, Shropshire, Exeter and Plymouth.”Scarlett is described as white, 5ft 5in tall, with dyed black hair(Image: Bedfordshire Police)Police released descriptions of the two teenage girls. Scarlett is described as white, 5ft 5in tall, with dyed black hair. She was last seen wearing grey joggers and a grey jumper. Daisy is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair. She was last seen wearing pink pyjamas.Daisy is described as white, 5ft 6in tall, with light brown shoulder-length hair(Image: Bedfordshire Police)Anyone with information about their whereabouts is asked to contact the force using its online reporting service or the webchat function. People can also call 101, quoting reference MPC/905/26 for Scarlett and MPC/904/26 for Daisy.

The items were discovered inside a vehicle recovered on Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham earlier this monthAuthor: Oliver MorganPublished 2 hours agoLast updated 2 hours agoPolice in Birmingham are appealing for help in identifying the owners of a collection of jewellery and watches believed to be stolen.The items were discovered inside a vehicle recovered on Washwood Heath Road, Birmingham earlier this month. Authorities suspect the vehicle’s connection to several burglaries in Birmingham, Bedfordshire, and Herefordshire. Detective Sergeant James Birtles from the Serious Organised Crime Team emphasised the sentimental value of such possessions. “We understand the sentimental value of these items and want to reunite them with their owners,” DS Birtles said. “If you have recently been the victim of a burglary and recognise the jewellery in the images, then please contact us with verifying information that the items are yours.” People who recognise the items can call 101 or use Live Chat, quoting reference number 2552 of 27th May. Preventing BurglaryDuring the summer months, burglaries tend to increase as criminals go after easily accessible valuables. Police suggest locking away jewellery, gold, and designer goods in either an insurance-approved safe or a Secured By Design safe. Properly positioning the safe is vital; avoid typical locations such as bedrooms and instead bolt it to a wall or floor. For more safety tips, click here. Police also warn against storing cash or gold in bedrooms, especially shoeboxes or wardrobes, as these are prime targets for burglars. Home insurance policies often require proper security measures like keeping doors locked and keys hidden. Anyone observing suspicious behaviour or wanting to report a crime should call 101, and emergencies should always be reported using 999. For more details on crime prevention, visit the West Midlands Police website under Keep burglars out of your property. First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.

A section of protected woodland has been badly damaged in a fire that firefighters said was probably started deliberately.Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the 33-acre (13-hectare) Barton Hills National Nature Reserve, in Barton-le-Clay, at about 21:00 BST on Friday.Firefighters tackled a fire involving trees and brush measuring about 30m by 30m (100ft by 100ft) before extinguishing it by about 03:30 and returning to dampen hotspots.Reserve warden Dean Elcome said he believed the blaze had been caused by a disposable BBQ being thrown into the undergrowth.Barton Hills, located in the north Chilterns, is classified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and protected by law.”The fire destroyed a small part of Barton Hills,” said Elcome.”A swathe of the woodland has either been damaged or destroyed… but it could have been much worse.”He added: “Please, please, please don’t think it’s OK to visit with the intention of having a fire or BBQ on site – you’re not welcome.”It’s illegal, thoughtless, extremely dangerous, and if found you will be prosecuted – I just think people don’t care and have a complete lack of respect.”According to the Woodland Trust, the habitat contains an “important population” of leaved lime trees and is home to the scarce Herb-Paris and stoats, weasels and hares.The fire service said at the fire’s height, four fire engines, a water carrier and about 30 firefighters were at the scene.”It is believed the fire was most likely started deliberately,” it said.Whizz Middleton, of Mrs Middleton’s Oil, based nearby, helped direct crews to the location of the fire and said they “worked tirelessly for almost 12 hours”.”The people involved were brilliant, reassuring, dedicated and kind and absolutely determined to battle the impenetrable undergrowth to dampen the fire,” she said.”I think the most infuriating thing about the drama that unfolded last night is that it was entirely predictable.”Bedfordshire Police was contacted for comment.Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Related internet links

A Leicester drug kingpin’s network crumbled after a police operation.
Leicestershire Police identified Sarju Khushal, 31, as one of the ringleaders of the organised crime group.
Khushal, formerly of Hazeldene Road, Leicester, would buy cocaine and heroin in wholesale amounts, then split that stock up and supply both other drug dealers and users.
Searches of the address saw officers recover a large quantity of class A and B drugs, drug paraphernalia, numerous devices and cash.
He lived at the home with his partner Saffron Franklin, 30, who assisted him in operating his business.
The investigation found that other men were involved in the operation at various levels – Kenneth Galloway, Mohammod Jahed and Kian Senior were also involved in the supply of controlled drugs.
Galloway, 31, formerly of Myrtle Road, Leicester, was involved in dealing cocaine and heroin, selling those drugs both at street level and to other dealers.
Jahed, 30, formerly of Coleman Close, Leicester, was a dealer who supplied drugs purchased from Khushal, returning substantial sums of money to him in return.
Senior, 31, formerly of Thorpe Field Drive, Leicester, was similarly a dealer who supplied significant quantities of drug from Khushal.
Khushal, was jailed in March last year for 11 years, and was sentenced on the basis he had supplied 19kg of the illegal drugs.
A trial at Leicester Crown Court saw the others involved sentenced recently.
Franklin pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs – heroin and cocaine – and possession of criminal property.
She was sentenced to two years in prison, however the sentence was suspended for two and a half years.
Galloway pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, and was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison.
Jahed pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, and was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison.
Senior pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, and was sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
Read the full story here.

MY DAUGHTERS regularly send me photos of birds on WhatsApp.‘Look at these lads,’ one will caption a picture of crows foraging on a grass verge. ‘Mum I bet you wish you were here,’ the other will write, under a picture of a hopeful crow perched on a chair at her table at an outdoor café.So far this year I have received pictures including robins, herons, red kites, pigeons and parakeets, the latter who regularly raid the cherry tree outside my eldest daughter’s London flat – she often sends pictures of their bright green bodies and long tails twirling about in the branches. My youngest daughter sent pictures from a hide in Walthamstow Wetlands, where she and friend were observing the birdlife.My daughters are young adults, but have grown up with a keen interest in birds. They were raised in a home where the weekly bird food bill surpassed that of the food shop. While we were dining on budget brands, our garden visitors were tucking into premium seed mix and superior fat balls. It’s a garden, which continues to welcome all comers, including the much-maligned magpie, although crows always come first. We have all but hand raised at least ten families of crows, the latest of which is now feeding its young. And, of course, we have many small garden birds, who, as I often say, ‘eat us out of house and home’.I like that my daughters notice and enjoy watching birds. They are not birdwatchers in the official sense, more casual observers, but they can identify most birds they come across each day, and often comment on hearing birdsong around their city homes.I was pleased to read that research by the RSPB suggests more than 700,000 people aged 16 to 29 – collectively described as Gen Z – regularly enjoy watching birds in Britain, a more than tenfold rise since 2018. No longer seen as an older person’s pastime, birdwatching is now the second fastest-growing hobby for Gen Z after, bizarrely, jewellery making.Younger birders cite birdwatching as an easy, accessible, free way to break away from hours spent looking at screens, enabling them to relax, de-stress and improve their mental health.Here in Yorkshire, managers at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, one of the UK’s largest bird sanctuaries, say they have seen a “significant increase” in the number of younger visitors. Visitor manage Poppy Rummery said younger people increasingly understood the benefits of getting outdoors and experiencing nature.Great tit PAWhile birdwatching helps young people to break from technology, it does play a role in helping them to enjoy their hobby and give others an insight into it. Gen Zers are sharing their sightings and birding adventures on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit. Special birding apps are growing in popularity, with AI helping young people learn to identify species. Apps like Merlin Bird ID allow users to record bird song with their phones, with the app telling them which birds are singing. I might try and have a go with that myself.The beauty of watching birds is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. At a basic level, when you’re out and about all you need is your own eyes and ears. If you want to get up close and personal, a pair of binoculars – which come in a range of prices, or you can buy secondhand – is all you need.Watching birds is certainly a way of relieving stress. When I am working from home I can see the bird feeder beside the window and often find myself staring out, watching them coming and going. It’s an instant, therapeutic switch-off from the daily routine.

A new car park was at risk of becoming a park-and-ride site for visitors to a planned Universal Studios resort, a councillor warned.Conservative councillor for Cranfield and Marston Moretaine, Sue Clark, raised concerns about plans for a two-storey, 490-space car park next to a new East West Rail station in Lidlington, Bedfordshire.She warned theme park visitors could end up using the car park because the “ideal station” for a park-and-ride at Ridgmont would not yet be completed.East West Rail said Lidlington would be “a railway station for local rail users” and there were no plans for it to be promoted as a place for Universal visitors to park.In a social media post, Clark said residents at a recent consultation event had been told the Lidlington car park could be used by people visiting Universal Studios.The American entertainment giant intends to build a resort at Kempston Hardwick near Bedford.She added the proposed Ridgmont station, near junction 13 of the M1, depended on about 3,000 new homes being approved at Aspley Guise, but these were not currently allocated in Central Bedfordshire Council’s (CBC) local plan.The new theme park is expected to attract more than eight million visitors a year [Universal Destinations & Experiences/Comcast]Clark warned pressure on Lidlington would increase and the village risked becoming “collateral damage” if the station did not go ahead, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.In a statement, East West Rail said: “We understand the concerns people have about parking and traffic impacts across the Marston Vale.”We want to be clear that Lidlington isn’t being designed or promoted as a park‑and‑ride, but as a station for local rail users.”Plans for stations and parking along the route, including at Ridgmont, are still being developed.”We continue to work closely with CBC and other partners to ensure that when stations open, parking provision is balanced and appropriate across the network.”Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.More on this storyRelated internet links

Detectives don’t believe there are any suspicious circumstances Author: Cameron GreenPublished 7 hours agoA man in his 50s has been found dead in lakes near Sandy, Bedfordshire.Emergency services were alerted at around 7am today to reports of a body in Manor Farm lakes, near the village of Stratford. Police, fire crews, and ambulance staff attended the scene. The man was pronounced dead upon arrival. His next of kin have been informed. While the death is being treated as unexplained, detectives confirm there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

It happened on SundayAuthor: Jon BurkePublished 25 minutes agoPolice are asking for witnesses, after three people were seriously injured in a road collision in Millbrook, Bedfordshire.It happened at around 4.30pm on Sunday (24 May)and involved a blue VW Golf.The vehicle was travelling on Station Lane, Millbrook, from the direction of Sandhill Close near the Millbrook proving ground, when it is believed to have hit flowing water, before leaving the road and colliding with a tree. The three occupants, all in their teens, suffered serious injuries. Sergeant James Wingate from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU), said: “We are appealing for anyone who was travelling in the area or who may have dashcam footage that could assist is in understanding the events prior to the collision to come forward.” Anyone with information or footage is asked to report online at beds.police.uk/ro/report quoting reference 366 of 24 May or Operation Mingoose. Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

Police launch witness appeal following two violent incidents reported Author: Poppi AndelinPublished 5 hours agoBedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after two separate stabbing incidents left two people seriously injured in Luton on Tuesday evening (26 May).The first attack happened between 5.20pm and 7.15pm in the Leagrave and Hockwell Ring area. A 16-year-old boy was reportedly assaulted by a group of three teenagers and suffered stab wounds. In a second incident, which police say is unrelated, a 22-year-old man was attacked while inside his vehicle on Lincoln Road between 6.30pm and 7.00pm. He also sustained serious injuries. Both victims later attended Luton and Dunstable Hospital for treatment after emergency services were alerted. Detective Inspector Jon Wheeler of Bedfordshire Police said the incidents were being treated separately but described both attacks as serious.“Although these two incidents are not linked, both have left the victims with serious injuries. “We are following several lines of enquiry in our efforts to better understand the circumstances and identify those responsible.”Police are continuing their investigations and are urging anyone who witnessed either incident or has information to come forward.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.

The event took place on SundayAuthor: Jon BurkePublished 3 hours agoPolice have made nine arrests at Luton Carnival.As the temperature climbed over the weekend, the force got geared up for a major presence on Sunday.Alongside the Luton Community Policing team, officers were deployed as part of Project Servator during the parade, Live Facial Recognition vans were set up on the entrances to Wardown Park – getting a hit and making an arrest for an individual wanted for sexual assault. The community team was also in attendance in the park, giving reassurance to the public. Officers from the Boson guns and gangs unit made arrests, for possession of a knife and possession with intent to supply drugs. Two teenagers were also spotted riding escooters while wearing balaclavas, hoodies, and surgical gloves. Both were arrested for attempted robbery and their escooters seized. Three further teenagers were arrested for affray, while one person was arrested after failing to appear in court.In total nine arrests were made around the eventSuperintendent Hob Hoque from Bedfordshire Police said, “The past week and bank holiday weekend have been an extremely busy one for the force. Our officers have attended a range of different incidents, alongside helping keep the public safe during one of the major events of the year, Luton carnival. “Despite the number of incidents, combined with the intense heat over the weekend, our officers and staff continued to make sure the public had the highest standard of service. Everyone involved played a significant part.”Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.