Category: Bedford

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.

Published on
26/05/2026 – 11:05 GMT+2

The Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM), Italy’s antitrust authority, announced on Tuesday that it opened a formal probe into easyJet Airline Company Limited over alleged unfair commercial practices.

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The case centres on how the carrier structures and presents baggage fees on its website and mobile app, with the regulator alleging that passengers were routinely given a distorted picture of what they were actually paying.
According to the AGCM, easyJet’s platform set bundled checked baggage and sports equipment for round trips as the automatic default, presenting only an overall average price for the service, even when customers had no intention of purchasing it for both legs of their journey.
The regulator contends that anyone wishing to add luggage for one leg only was forced to interrupt the booking process to override this setting, a step most consumers would be unlikely to notice or navigate.
The investigation will assess whether easyJet’s booking system created unclear pricing conditions and limited consumers’ ability to make fully informed choices.
At the time of writing, easyJet has not publicly commented on the case.

Italy’s AGCM previous actions
This is not the first time easyJet has appeared before Italian authorities.
In May 2021, the AGCM imposed a €2.8 million fine on the airline alongside Ryanair and Volotea, after all three failed to offer cash reimbursements for flights cancelled when Italy lifted its COVID-19 travel restrictions, issuing vouchers instead.
EasyJet appealed, but the Lazio Regional Administrative Court in Rome rejected the challenge in February 2025.
The AGCM has shown no hesitation in pursuing the sector more broadly.
In December 2025, it fined Ryanair €255 million for abusing its dominant position in air travel to and from Italy.
The Italian authority concluded the carrier had deployed an “elaborate strategy” to obstruct travel agencies from purchasing its flights, including through facial-recognition checks, payment blocks and mass account deletions, a ruling Ryanair immediately vowed to appeal.

Following years of careful preparation, the beavers are back in Bedfordshire (a county in the east of England). This is the first time in 400 years that these remarkable mammals have returned to the county’s rivers, marking a historic milestone for the area. Their presence is already demonstrating why the species is so vital for UK ecology.About Britain’s BeaversThe UK beaver (Eurasian beaver) species is different from that found in the US. They look similar and lead similar lives, but the Eurasian beaver typically has fur that is a lighter shade of brown than its American cousins, and its tail is a little narrower.Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) are found in riparian habitats, close to freshwater and surrounded by wetland plants and woodland. They are the largest rodent in Britain and weigh up to 80 pounds or so. Their most distinctive feature is their flat, scaly, paddle-shaped tail, which can be up to 13 inches long.What Happened to Britain’s Beavers?The Eurasian beaver has a chequered history in the UK and indeed in many parts of Europe. The species likely evolved in the early Pleistocene era, around 3 million years ago. During the late Pleistocene ice age, they apparently disappeared from much of Europe and Asia, but later rebounded as the climate warmed.Beavers were over-hunted in Britain.©Michal14/Shutterstock.comMore recently, they have been hunted throughout the UK and Europe for their fur, meat, and castoreum (an exudate produced to mark their territory and which was traditionally used in perfumes). This took a heavy toll on populations, and the last sighting of a British beaver was recorded in Loch Ness in the 1500s. It is possible, however, that a few small, isolated populations survived into the 1700s. No further sightings of live beavers were recorded until 2002, when the first official reintroduction occurred at a fenced wetland site.Where in the UK Have Beavers Been Reintroduced?There have been several fenced enclosure trials of beaver reintroduction in the UK. Two licensed free-living populations can be found on the River Otter and in Knapdale, Scotland. Several additional licensed wild populations now exist as beaver reintroductions have expanded in recent years.Also, there are likely unlicensed free-living populations elsewhere. In 2019, beavers were granted protected species status in Scotland, and in 2022, the UK government officially recognised them as a native species. Beavers are a protected species in the UK, so they cannot be culled there without a license. Why Release Beavers in Britain?Beavers are widely recognised as ecosystem engineers. This means they modify their environment to create habitats and resources for other species. Beavers live in riparian habitats—transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. In these partially wetland and partially woodland areas, they eat vegetation such as rhizomes, pondweed, ferns, and grasses.In the winter, however, they switch to wood and tree bark. They prefer deep, slow-moving rivers or lakes, and if they can’t find them, they will create their own!To do this, they build dams to slow down the flow of water and dig burrows into the riverbank. Alternatively, they will construct a ‘lodge’ from wood, twigs, and soil, where the beavers can hide from predators.The Bedfordshire Beaver ReleaseThe beavers have been released at Southill Estate in Bedfordshire under a Natural England license. It has taken two years to obtain the license and to prepare a purpose-built enclosure. The work was carried out in partnership with the Beaver Trust. The news release on their website describes how they “led on the [license] application, co-designed the main release pond, coordinated trapping operations, and oversaw the safe transfer of animals to [the] site.”Beavers modify their habitats.©Tomas Palsovic/Shutterstock.comThe estate team and specialist contractors carried out many modifications to create a suitable habitat, including pond creation, willow planting, and restoring a more natural hydrological flow and habitat complexity to an existing ditch.During the first stage of the release, an adult male and two kits that had been humanely trapped under license from Scotland were introduced. A few days later, an adult female was introduced, who had spent 14 months being prepared for independent living at the Wildwood Trust.Beavers and Land ManagementThe beaver release is part of a broader commitment to manage the land so that there is space for nature alongside productive land use. The project aims to achieve ecological restoration, which brings drought resilience to the wider estate. Bedfordshire is one of the driest counties in England. When beavers build dams, they also create a mosaic of wetland habitats, including pools, channels, and standing deadwood. This process retains water in the landscape, benefiting both humans and wildlife. It also reduces peak water flows, lowering the risk of downstream flooding.The benefits are already apparent: grey partridges are being seen in greater numbers, along with increases in wading birds, songbirds, and invertebrate communities.This new beaver community will be closely monitored. Future offspring may even be trapped and relocated to additional licensed reintroduction sites.The post England’s First Bedfordshire Beavers in 400 Years Are Already Changing the Land appeared first on A-Z Animals.