People in Biggleswade and Ampthill areas are being given a new way to directly voice concerns about community safety issues affecting their local neighbourhoods - and Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service is very much involved.

The Community Safety Forums are a new initiative of the Mid Beds Community Safety Partnership, to encourage public participation in finding solutions to local problems.

The first was held on 14 January 2008 at Stratton Upper School, Biggleswade allowing local people to meet representatives of the local council, police and fire services.

The second was held at Parkside Hall in Ampthill on 27 February where 80 people attended to discuss issues ranging from vandalism to illegal parking, littering to high speed traffic.

Rob Parsons, Community Safety Manager with Mid Beds District Council explains "This is a new approach to tackling community safety and anti-social behaviour in Mid Beds."

Ivor Hall, Mid Beds District Commander of Bedfordshire Police said: "We want to hear people's concerns about crimes and anti-social behaviour so we can take action, report back to them and put their minds at rest."

Chris Adams, Fire and Rescue Service Station Commander added: "Nuisance fires can be a particular problem for us and in many cases are treated as seriously as an arson incident. Responding to these types of calls represents not only a cost to the council tax payer but can also be an unnecessary drain on our resources, and since fire appliance cannot be in two places at once, may mean a possible delay to more serious incidents."

More forums will be set up in other Neighbourhoods in Mid Beds. In some places, like Biggleswade there already exist Community Safety Groups that provide valuable links to the neighbourhoods - but many areas are without this sort of opportunity to meet and discuss concerns, and people may not be sure who to talk to if they have a problem in their street. The forums will give local people a real opportunity to work together to find solutions to the issues of most concern to them.  

Biggleswade Stratton School: 7pm Monday April 21 

Ampthill Parkside Hall: 7pm Wednesday May 28