Calm Maintained Across Bedfordshire Last Night

'Calm Maintained Across Bedfordshire Last Night.' That was the welcome headline on the website of Bedfordshire Police this morning after an extensive police operation on the streets in Bedford and elsewhere to prevent any of the sickening violence and destruction which has taken place elsewhere from happening here. I have spoken to the Divisional Commander today and congratulated the police on their efforts last night in being prepared and being out on the streets, offering a reassuring presence to local residents and businesses in our town. The Council has obviously been in close contact with the police, and we will continue to work closely together. While it was welcome that the scurrilous and unsubstantiated rumours about possible trouble in Bedford last night did not prove to be true, there can be no room for complacency. I know that the police are know this, and there will again be a major, prepared police presence out in Bedford again tonight.

I also congratulated the police on the way they have reassured and communicated with residents over the past twenty four hours. Their use of social media, text message services and even multimedia platforms with an online audio message from the Chief Constable at 11.15pm last night was effective and, from the feedback I have seen and heard, highly valued by the public.