Bedfordshire Police is set to receive a 6.6 per cent boost in funding boost to enhance efforts to combat crime in urban areas, including Luton, it has been announced by the government.
The increase, announced as part of the Police Grant Report for England and Wales for 2025-26, which was laid before the House of Commons yesterday (January 30), will bring total funding to £167.8million for the county’s police force.
These proposed allocations remain provisional and subject to further ratification before they become final, but the announcement is expected to strengthen police resources across the county. It comes in response to years of financial strain, during which Bedfordshire Police had to cut spending by over £50million due to the previous Conservative government’s austerity measures. Despite these challenges, the force has consistently worked to maintain policing standards and tackle crime effectively.
“This major investment marks a turning point for policing in this country,” said Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, adding: “We are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSOs [police community support officers] where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.
“Every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate. This investment, alongside new powers we are bringing into law, will help prevent crime and protect our communities, which is at the heart of our plan for change.
“Restoring local policing will not happen overnight, but this funding boost will get more officers into our town centres and rural areas.”
Bedfordshire is a diverse county with a mix of rural areas and densely populated towns such as Luton and Bedford. The region’s extensive transportation links — including major roads, rail connections, and the proximity of Luton Airport — make it a hotspot for organised crime, including drug trafficking and firearms offences.
Luton, in particular, has faced significant issues with knife crime. Between January 2023 and March 2024, there were 449 knife crime-related incidents in the town. Recent weeks have also seen violent crime spike, with two stabbings, one of which tragically resulted in a fatality.
The additional resources are expected to bolster policing efforts and strengthen partnerships with local public services and voluntary sectors focused on crime prevention.
Despite the positive news, challenges remain. The current funding formula still treats Bedfordshire as a rural police force, which does not reflect the urban crime dynamics in areas like Luton. Special grants to tackle gun and gang crime have been provided since 2019-20, but the continuation of these grants is yet to be confirmed.
As Bedfordshire Police awaits further announcements on special grant allocations, the funding increase offers a hopeful step forward in ensuring safer streets and more robust policing across Luton and the county.
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