An operation to combat anti-social behaviour, linked to street drinking, begging and homelessness in Bedford town centre, has been recognised at the Community Hub Awards.
The inaugural awards were organised by Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Kathryn Holloway.
Operation Highgate, which has been running for a number of months, aims to protect the most vulnerable people while ensuring those who commit criminal acts are dealt with.
The operation won the Impacting Vulnerability Award and was singled out for praise to celebrate the hard work and effort, from not only Bedfordshire Police officers, but also partners and members of public who help them.
Operation Highgate has been led by the Bedford Community Team but seen significant partnership involvement with the likes of Bedford Borough Council and the Bedford Business Improvement District.
The success and structure of the operation has been recognised outside of Bedfordshire as an example of good practice, with other forces looking to replicate the model to tackle similar issues in their area.
PC Kate Rowley also took home the award for Problem Solver of the Year as a result of her work with the team in Bedford.
She is one of the most experienced officers in the team and acts as a role model for other officers, as well as getting positive feedback from those inside and outside the police force.
Over the past 12 months she has led community operations to protect vulnerable people from cuckooing and handbag thefts.
Inspector Paul Ayling said, “Kate is a versatile and passionate officer who always puts in 100 per cent.”
The Bedford team’s work to prevent throwovers and the smuggling of other contraband into HMP Bedford won the Community Impact Award.
The team’s Operation Yellow has seen a number of significant arrests and jail terms for those involved in this type of criminality.
This work with both HMP Bedford and the local authority has been recognised externally as a successful model for addressing these sorts of issues, while Sergeant Ian Leeson and his team have also been nominated and invited to the National Problem Solving awards.
