Category: Bedford

Personal data on nearly 33,000 patients was stolen and shared online, in June 2024, Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has revealed.
The trust said it was “possible” that data on patients who had laboratory or diagnostic results between 2011 and 2020 from the hospitals it operates, Bedford Hospital and Luton & Dunstable Hospital.
The breach affected an organisation that provides essential services to the trust, as part of a broader incident affecting other healthcare bodies, the trust said.
Image credit: Pexels
Diagnostic results
As the data was fragmented across multiple databases, it took nearly two years for specialist analysis to clarify what information was present and what organisations it related to.
Data on the 32,927 affected could include name, date of birth, NHS number, postcode, and test results, the trust said.
“During the attack, criminals unlawfully accessed internal systems and extracted a set of files, which were later published on online forums known for sharing stolen data,” the trust said in a lengthy statement on Tuesday.
“In October 2025, the supplier informed us that some data relevant to our organisation was included in the material they had recovered and analysed. We have since undertaken our own review of that material.”
The trust said it believes the risk of the data being misused is low, as it is fragmented and historic.
Historic data
It said the supplier has obtained a court injunction to help prevent third parties from sharing the information.
It noted that publication alone did not mean the data had been used in a harmful way, adding that it was not aware of evidence that the information had been accessed or used inappropriately.
But it acknowledged there was a “limited risk” of personal data being used in unsolicited contacts by potential scammers.
The trust said it liaised with the NHS England information governance team and notified the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The spokesperson said an organisation that “provided essential services to us and other healthcare bodies” experienced the attack in June 2024.It formed part of a wider incident affecting other organisations that supported the healthcare sector, they said.The trust said criminals extracted files which were later published on online forums known for sharing stolen data.It said: “The files taken were not organised as a single database and were highly unstructured, incomplete and fragmented.”As a result, it has taken more than a year of detailed analysis by specialist teams at the supplier to reconstruct and understand what information was present and which organisations it related to.”In October 2025, the spokesperson said the supplier told the NHS that data relevant to the trust had been included, recovered and analysed.In total, data linked to 32,927 individuals was shared.They said they decided to share the information after completing a review. The trust said it had liaised with the NHS England information governance team and notified the Information Commissioner’s Office.It added: “While the data remains present in those places, publication alone does not mean that it has been used in a harmful way. At this time, we are not aware of any evidence that the information has been accessed or used inappropriately.”The supplier had obtained a court injunction in an attempt to stop third parties sharing the data, the spokesperson added.The trust runs the acute hospitals of Bedford, and Luton and Dunstable.

Nik Shelton, of the Wildlife Trust Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire, writes about the importance of our grasslands. We’re heading into the peak months for meadows and grasslands, and there are some special places to visit near Cambridge to make the most of them. But what is a grassland and why are they so important?Trumpington Meadows nature reserve. Picture: Sarah LambertAt its simplest a grassland is, unsurprisingly, a habitat which is dominated by grass – but this definition hides a complex and fascinating diversity which is shaped by giant extinct animals, subterranean geology and human history. Internationally they can range from the Pampas grasslands of the Patagonian Steppe in South America to the mountainside chalk grasslands of the Swiss Alps. In our region we group them into types defined by the acidity of the soil – this leads to different species of specialist plants which in turn attract different butterflies and other insects.“We tend to categorise our grasslands into three types of habitats in our part of the world,” explains Wildlife BCN director of conservation, Matt Jackson.Sian Williams, left, and Rebecca Green carry out a rapid grassland survey at Houghton Meadows. Picture: Holly Wilkinson / Wildlife Trust BCN“They are calcareous grasslands, those which have an alkaline type soil; acid grasslands, those with an acidic soil; and then what we call neutral grasslands – or the posh scientific term is mesotrophic grasslands.“They are dependent on geology as to where they occur. So in our patch, in the southern part of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire we have chalk coming to the surface at reserves like Fleam Dyke and Pegsdon Hills. It is the same band of chalk which extends from the Chilterns. And then further north from that, we’ve got clay on top of limestone so you get much more free-draining calcareous grasslands as a result.A chalkhill blue at Fleam Dyke. Picture: Nik Shelton / Wildlife Trust BCN“Acid grasslands tend to be associated with rock formations like sandstone and we have those in the Greensand Ridge in Bedfordshire, for instance. A good example is the RSPB’s heathland reserve at The Lodge near Sandy. And we have acid grassland in the hills in southwest Northamptonshire.“Our neutral grasslands tend to be associated with the river valleys, and one of our rarer habitats are the floodplain meadows – places like our Houghton Meadows reserve near St Ives.”Houghton Meadows. Picture: Jenny Mackay / Wildlife Trust BCNMany of us were taught in school that ancient Britain was covered in one huge wild wood – so where did these grasslands come from? Well, the latest scientific thinking, based on studying fossil records, is that trees never truly covered our island. Large mammals like the extinct aurochs (an ancestor of today’s cows), giant elks and even early elephants would have kept areas free of trees, and other species adapted and evolved to live in the open spaces.An auroch – a now extinct speciesToday we use particular breeds of cows and sheep to continue their work, but we also cut and remove the grass at reserves like Trumpington Meadows to keep nutrient levels down so that wildflowers are not swamped by nettles and brambles.Trumpington Meadows is celebrating 10 years this month with a special event on June 21 where you can learn all about meadow species and their conservation as well as taking part in lots of fun family activities.Flowers at Trumpington Meadows. Picture: Wildlife Trust BCN“Over the past century species rich meadows have declined by 97 per cent – a huge loss,” says Matt. “Lots have been lost due to the decline of traditional farming techniques, but also development. And also if you don’t manage them, they will tend to convert to scrub and then into woodland – a process called succession. “Another issue for floodplain meadows in the modern world is river water quality – due to poor sewage control and farming practices our rivers now have a far higher phosphate content than they would have done naturally. So when they flood now, that phosphate comes out of the river and if we don’t do something about it those habitats move very quickly away from being flower rich meadows.”Fleam Dyke. Picture: Holly Wilkinson / Wildlife Trust BCNAnd it’s not just above the ground that matters – we now know that the roots in a healthy grassland habitat can reach down over four metres and store significant amounts of carbon.With a long and fascinating history, and benefits for people, wildlife and the climate we are working hard to protect grassland habitats in our region. Our Wilder Future Fund is focussing on meadows and grasslands over the coming months – head to wildlifebcn.org/wilderfuturefund to find out more and support our work.

The pair were sentenced to a combined total of 25 years behind barsHaydar Miah, 28, was sentenced to 17 years behind bars(Image: Bedfordshire Police)A couple were smuggling up to 50kg of cocaine a month into the UK. Haydar Miah, 28, of Aerodome Road, North London, was arrested in May 2025 after being suspected of drug dealing in Luton.When arrested, police found over 2kg of cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, Xanax and ketamine, and £33,000 in cash. When experts examined his mobiles then found evidence of the conspiracy to bring in around 50kg of cocaine monthly to Britain.The drugs went from Brazil into Portugal, and then into the UK. Mengali Freitas, 32, was also arrested. Freitas had introduced Miah to a contact to discuss bringing drugs into the UK. Although stepping back from the leading role, she continued to act as a translator between Miah and overseas contacts using the WhatsApp names ‘WalterWhite’ and ‘Ghost’.Freitas was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison(Image: Bedfordshire Police)On Thursday (March 28) at Southwark Crown Court, Miah was hit with 17 years behind bars after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including possession with intent to supply cocaine, and being concerned in the fraudulent evasion of a prohibition on the importation of a Class A drug (cocaine).Freitas was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine.Investigating Officer Neville Drummond, from Operation Costello, said: “The length of these sentences reflects the severity of Miah’s actions and the extent of his involvement in serious and organised crime, including plans to bring significant quantities of drugs into the UK.A slab of the recovered cocaine(Image: Bedfordshire Police)“Freitas’ role in the network was clear. While she described herself as a translator, she was instrumental in facilitating communication between Miah and his overseas contacts. This demonstrates the lengths we will go to in targeting all those involved in organised crime.“Drugs are at the heart of much of the violence and exploitation we see in the county. By bringing offenders like Miah and Freitas to justice, we are making Bedfordshire safer and protecting people from harm.“We urge anyone with information about drug dealing to report it to us so we can continue to build intelligence and put offenders behind bars.”Stay in the loop with the latest North London news. Sign up to our MyNorthLondon newsletter HERE for daily updates and more.

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