Bedfordshire Police has written to Bedford Borough Council following a petition by local people concerned about dangerous driving, car cruising and street racing along the A6 corridor between Elstow, Wixams and Wilstead.
In the letter, Bedfordshire Police said it recognises “the seriousness of these concerns and the impact such behaviour has on local communities”.
The letter states that since May 2025, Bedfordshire Police has logged 24 separate incidents relating to street racing on the A6.
These have been responded to by both uniformed officers and PCSOs, with patrols targeted primarily on Friday to Sunday evenings between 21:00 and 00:00hrs.
According to the letter, there has been a reduction in reported incidents as colder weather has set in, and this is “consistent with seasonal patterns observed in previous years”.
The letter confirms that cameras have been installed on both carriageways of the A6 at Wixams to gather further evidence and support enforcement efforts.
It also states that Bedfordshire Police is working closely with Bedford Borough Council to pursue a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) “as a first-line legal measure”.
PSPO application
Eight impact statements have been obtained, with a further seven expected.
Once complete, the PSPO application will enter a six-week public consultation phase before being assessed by the Council’s executive.
The letter says: “Should the PSPO prove insufficient, a civil injunction remains under consideration.”
The issue is being managed under a Problem Solving Plan led by Inspector Richard Cunningham from the Bedford Rural team. The Road Policing Unit has also deployed resources in response to calls for service.
The letter states that the force is “exploring the status and effectiveness of average speed cameras along the A6 corridor”. This includes liaison with Central Bedfordshire Council regarding enforcement further south on the route.
In the letter, Bedfordshire Police says it would welcome the council’s support in exploring preventative measures, including “the installation or enhancement of average speed cameras”, as well as “infrastructure improvements, signage enhancements, and community engagement”.
Wixams and Wilstead ward councillor Graeme Coombes (Conservative) said: “I’m pleased to see a swift response from the police to the council motion I presented in October.
“I’ll be watching closely to ensure that both the council and the police use all powers available to them, including the introduction of a PSPO and potentially a civil injunction, to end this madness once and for all, and to make the A6 safer and quieter for residents of Elstow, Wilstead and Wixams.”
By John Guinn
Local Democracy Reporter
