18 July 2025
Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
Bruce McWayne
Just when you thought the world couldn’t get any weirder, Bedford delivers.
Today we learned that, starting in August, a local businessman is personally funding private security patrols in Bedford town centre because, and I quote, “the police have failed.”
Read: Businessman to pilot private security for Bedford town centre, PCC calls it a ‘political stunt’
Not content with running coffee shops, a football club, and a few other ventures, Peter McCormack has now apparently decided to moonlight as… what? A vigilante? A civic-minded entrepreneur? Bedford’s answer to Bruce Wayne?
Ten guards. High-vis. Patrolling the streets every Saturday. Paid for out of his own pocket.
And if you think that sounds like something straight out of a comic book, you’re not alone.
The police, understandably, weren’t exactly happy, the PCC called it a “political stunt” and the council didn’t say anything at all. Me, I’m flabbergasted.
It’s not that it’s a bad thing to want the streets to feel safer. It’s just… surreal like living in one of those alternate timeline episodes of Black Mirror.
Weirder still, a public meeting is planned to discuss how this might work and determine if anyone is interested in helping monitor the outcome of the pilot plan.
Sadly, we’re told it’s not in a Batcave.
Paper thin
This week’s announcement from the government on clamping down on fake political newspapers is… fine. On paper. A start, at least.
But like most things that come out of Westminster, no matter who’s in charge, it’s soft, vague, and clearly designed not to upset too many people. A policy so gently worded you’d think it was afraid of its own shadow.
Because let’s be honest: if the government really wanted to tackle this cynical, calculated practice properly, they’d ban it outright.
Instead, we get vague promises of “more transparency,” with no clear rules on how big or prominent a party imprint should be, no guarantee it can’t still be buried in tiny print on the back page.
And, no one seems to have the guts to call it what it really is: propaganda disguised to mislead voters.
Like much of what passes for reform in British politics these days, it’s just enough to let them claim they’ve done something, but not enough to actually fix the problem. Better not ruffle any feathers, eh?
Send your examples of fake newspapers to: news@bedfordindependent.co.uk.
Small but mighty
There were celebrations at Progress Publishing towers this week as the Bedford Independent was shortlisted for a prestigious Press Gazette Future of Media Award.
Read: Bedford Independent’s live election coverage shortlisted for national media award
The category? Best Live Journalism (Specialist/Regional), recognising their coverage of the July 2024 General Election – where one reporter, fuelled by coffee and sheer stubbornness, covered three constituencies from 6:15pm to 6am, while still beating bigger outlets to the punch.
They’re up against Germany’s Allgemeine Zeitung and two titles owned by publishing giant Reach, which makes it feel a bit like entering your nan’s Skoda in a Grand Prix.
For a newsroom where one person staffs the entire daily news operation at a time, it’s proof that proper, trusted, community-rooted reporting can hold its own on the national and international stage.
And it’s a reminder that when you’re passionate about your patch, and you care about getting it right, you can beat the big boys who, despite multiple journalists and massive budgets, are more interested in weather warnings and copying and pasting social media posts.
The winners are announced on 11 September. Whatever happens, it’s already a win for Bedford Borough.
Not bad for three part-timers and a handful of volunteers, eh?
Screw loose
Since the end of June, someone, for reasons known only to them, has apparently taken it upon themselves to scatter screws all over the roads in Clapham. Not once. Not twice. But repeatedly.
Read: Police increase patrols in Clapham to combat scourge of discarded screws in the road
Milton Road, Twinwoods Road, Bedford Road… dozens of tyres punctured, locals increasingly furious, and now street sweepers and police patrols deployed to try and stop it.
What exactly is the endgame here? Some low-budget Bond villain? A tyre-fitter trying to drum up business? Or just someone who doesn’t like their neighbours and owns a massive box of screws?
Whatever the motive, it’s stupid, dangerous, and no doubt expensive for anyone who’s had to replace a tyre or two.
And it’s only a matter of time before it’s not just rubber and alloy that gets hurt. Pedestrians, cyclists, kids, pets, they’re not going to get away with a trip to Kwik Fit.
So here’s a thought: if you know who’s behind this, let Bedfordshire Police know (beds.police.uk) before someone ends up in A&E.
Because, as creative as this campaign of chaos might be, it’s not clever. It’s just screwed up.
Class dismissed
Shout out to all the teachers across Bedford Borough who are just about to finish for the year. You’ve made it.
Progress Publishing’s own Erica and Paul spent just two weeks this month working with work experience journalism students at Kimberley College and Sharnbrook. Two weeks, and they still haven’t recovered.
How you do it for a whole year, every year, is nothing short of miraculous. Enjoy the summer, you’ve earned every second.
See you soon, Bedford Ian.
PS: If you see anything Bedford Ian might find amusing, tell us at news@BedfordIndependent.co.uk.
