Row as plan for volunteers to staff Leighton Buzzard’s police hub branded 'an insult'

A row is brewing over policing in Leighton Buzzard after Liberal Democrats called a plea for volunteers to man the new police hub “an insult”.

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Akinbusoye called for volunteers after the community policing team completed the move to the Bossard House police hub last month.

In a social media post he said: “It will not be possible to have police officers man the desk as we want them out on the streets doing patrols.”

But Leighton Buzzard Liberal Democrat councillor Emma Holland-Lindsay criticised what she said was the PCC’s failure to provide proper policing to the town.

She said: “Our town has been let down time and again by lack of police on the beat, and by the loss of our police station. The repeated break-ins at town businesses over the summer show the urgent need for more visible policing to keep our town safe.

“Yet the new ‘hub’ at Bossard House falls far short of the full time police station local residents need and deserve, meaning people still face travelling to Dunstable or Luton to report issues in person.

“And the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner’s call for volunteers to staff the policing hub is an absolute insult to local residents who should not have to step in to cover roles that should be done by paid police staff. This is policing on the cheap from the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner and local residents won't stand for it.

“To add insult to injury the Conservative Commissioner wants to hike up Leighton Buzzard’s council tax to record levels without any further commitment to additional policing in our town.”

The new community police base in West Street also serves as a space for response officers based in Dunstable, and aims to bring policing closer to the community it serves according to a police spokesman.

But people will still need to visit Dunstable or Luton police stations for some reasons – including making enquiries or using online reporting tools.

The PCC says he worked with Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst to secure the new facility following concerns from residents.

He said: “I have received some positive feedback from members of the Leighton Buzzard community about the difference this will make to the town.

“We know that visible policing deters crime, which is why I will continue to work alongside the Chief Constable to ensure that our support for Leighton Buzzard continues to grow.”

Mr Akinbusoye added: “Bossard House is now the home for the town’s community team and I look forward to the team being brought up to full establishment by the end of January. I want to see more special constables operating out of Bossard House and the establishment of a front desk, staffed by volunteers that the public can talk to.”

In a statement Mr Akinbusoye said: “Officers who respond to 999 calls are now able to work from Bossard House between jobs to complete administrative tasks, reducing the need for officers to drive back to either Dunstable or Luton.

“The intention is for the front desk to be staffed by volunteers as this frees up officers to be out on patrol and dealing with criminals.”