I met with the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police Garry Forsyth to discuss the challenges Bedfordshire Police face and his priorities going forward. I was pleased to hear his commitment to community policing as a way to build trust between the police and community groups.

I reaffirmed my commitment to raising the issues the Government’s unfair funding formula causes our force. By funding Bedfordshire Police like a rural force we are short of the officers we desperately need.

We discussed the force’s preparations for the Coronavirus pandemic and they have extensively tested their protocols.

Bedfordshire Police remain committed to working hard to keep people safe and I am pleased that through recruitment the force are expected to have a net gain of around 78 officers by the end of this year.