Fenlake area of Bedford Burglary Arrest

A man was later arrested in possession of that laptop and was charged with a number of burglaries. The man, who is believed to be responsible for burglaries in the area of Goldington Avenue as well as at the Fenlake address, is currently imprisoned awaiting sentencing.

Bedfordshire Police would like to thank second hand retailers who remain vigilant for identifiable stolen property and members of the public who take the time to inform us of suspicious behaviour in their neighbourhood.

Smartwater is a fast drying liquid that is painted onto property. Each bottle of SmartWater has a unique makeup and the generic product (there are other versions)has been dubbed 'property DNA'.

The principle is very similar to marking your mobile or laptop with a UV pen but is more versatile on those things you can't write your postcode on, such as jewellery.

A household pack can be purchased from Bedford Neighbourhood Watch for the discount price of £20 which, in many cases can be recovered in reduced insurance premiums. To order SmartWater contact Lynne or Ray at Neighbourhood Watch on 01234 275165. If you you have any further questions please feel free to call myself at the Crime Reduction Office on 01234 275273.

It’s Paul’s Prescription for Surgery Success!

VISITORS to mobile police surgeries in Dunstable’s Watling and Manshead wards will get more than they bargain for in 2009.

Because while visiting the mobile police station they will also be able to take advantage of free services aimed at protecting their property.

During some surgeries Safer Neighbourhood Team members will offer motorists the chance to have their number plates fitted with free tamper-proof screws under the Car Accessory Protection Scheme (CAPS).

And at others there will the opportunity to get property, such as mobile telephones, satellite navigation systems and personal stereos, security marked.

Safer Neighbourhood Officer PC Paul Ayling said the aim is to provide residents with a “one-stop shop” where they can get practical help to beat crime and discuss issues in the community with constables and Police Community Support Officers.

PC Ayling, who hit on the idea following last year’s successful Pride in Downside event, said: “Although we have run CAPS days and security marking events in the past, this is the first time we have tried to combine them with mobile police surgeries.

“We hope residents will find this a more convenient arrangement and will feel more inclined to come along to our surgeries and discuss with officers any issues or concerns they have.”

View dates for property marking events in the Events Calendar.

They were remanded in custody until December 11th.
The defendants were arrested in the early hours of Monday the
1st of December, after their car was stopped in Biggleswade Road,
Upper Caldecott, by officers investigating thefts from vehicles
in Haynes and Wilstead.

The men, who are in their twenties, are being questioned at Dunstable Police Station after being arrested at addresses in Milton Keynes where police seized electrical items ranging from stereo equipment to computer consoles.

The arrests, led by DC Sarah Day, were made by members of the Dunstable-based Priority Crime Investigation Team (PCIT) as part of an ongoing investigation into auto-burglaries called Operation Minack.

They come just days after PCIT officers arrested two men in Rushden and Caddington and seized vehicles and property. They have since been bailed pending further police inquiries.

DS Mark Crone, who is co-ordinating the operation, said: “This inquiry is progressing extremely well and we would repeat out advice to those involved in the burglaries to contact us now, before we come knocking at their doors.”

Today’s arrests, made with the assistance of Thames Valley Police, come as Bedfordshire Police press ahead with an initiative called Safer Homes. Part of it encourages householders to security mark property with SmartWater and keep car keys out of sight.

Anyone with information about burglary can contact DS Crone on 01582 473050, the main switchboard on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police discovered the satellite navigation system at his home address and seized other property believed to be stolen including personal stereo systems and lap-top computer cases.

The arrest was one of five made following a spate of overnight vehicles breaks in north Dunstable that were met with a rapid response by local officers, backed by the force helicopter and dog section.

The others were arrested on suspicion of theft from motor vehicles and all the men, who are in their twenties, are currently being questioned at Dunstable Police Station.

DS Rob Regan, of the Dunstable-based Priority Crime Investigation Unit (PCIT), said: “We received a large number of reports about vehicle windows being smashed and immediately deployed officers to deal with them.

“We quickly made a number of successful arrests and want to hear from anyone else who has had their car broken into overnight, but not reported it to police. This case is another which highlights the value of SmartWater.”

Police have been promoting SmartWater as part of their ongoing Safer Homes campaign, which aims to clampdown on offences like burglary and handling stolen property. SmartWater is an invisible, colourless and odourless liquid that once applied to property cannot be removed and glows to reveal its unique chemical signature when placed under ultra-violet light.

Anyone with information about vehicle crime in Dunstable can contact police, in confidence, on 01582 473050, the main switchboard on 01234 841212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.