£7m boost for Beds Police welcomed by MP

Labour MP Alex Mayer said she was pleased that the Government had “listened and taken action”. She and and John Tizard, Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire secured the funding after successfully making the case to the Policing Minister Sarah Jones.

The investment will focus on boosting key operations tackling organised crime, freeing up cash for more neighbourhood policing.

The additional funding comes on top of the record £175 million funding for Beds Police announced back in January.

Alex Mayer MP said: “Bedfordshire is getting safer. This is a vote of confidence in Bedfordshire Police. I’ve been working closely with John Tizard to push for this, and it just goes to show what a Labour MP, Government and Police and Crime Commissioner working together can deliver.”

The Crime and Policing Bill, which Ms Mayer voted for, is set to become law over the coming days.

The legislation includes more than 50 crime-fighting measures, from tougher powers to seize nuisance off-road bikes to closing £200 loophole used by shoplifters.

Ms Mayer continued: “By combining this funding boost with the new policing powers I’ve voted for in Parliament, we’re taking important steps to making local neighbourhoods safer.”