Arrests made in crackdown on high street crime

Arrests made in crackdown on high street crime

Dozens of arrests have been made and hundreds of offences brought before the courts as part of an ongoing crackdown on high street crime in Bedford. 

Since July 2026, officers have secured charges against 21 individuals for more than 330 offences, including theft from shop, business burglary and other associated crimes, as part of efforts to tackle repeat shoplifting and reduce the impact on local businesses and communities.

Among those is Anthony Hall, 44, of Meadway, Bedford, who was charged with 20 theft from shop offences and sentenced yesterday (Tuesday) to one year behind bars.

A five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was also granted, prohibiting him from entering Rope Walk, St John’s and Alban retail parks, as well as BP garages on Newnham Avenue and in Elstow.

Darren Worton, 35, of no fixed abode, was charged with 38 theft from shop offences and sentenced on Thursday (8 October) to a 12-week custodial sentence. He was also made subject to a three-year CBO, banning him from B&M in Riverfield Drive, shops in Church Lane and Queens Drive, and the BP garage on Newnham Avenue.

The force’s work to tackle high street crime has continued this week, with one man arrested for a further five theft from shop offences yesterday (Wednesday), as part of dedicated operations targeting criminality linked to Bedford town centre and surrounding retail areas.

Officers have executed warrants as part of Operation Machinize, a clampdown on money-laundering and other types of criminal activity through cash-intensive high street businesses.

Officers were joined by a team from Bedfordshire Trading Standards at Tech Experts in the town centre on Tuesday (13 October). A total of £17,000 in cash, 161 bottles of counterfeit perfume, 170 illegal vape coils and 127 illegal cones  were among items seized.

Chief Inspector Andy Smith said: “We recognise the significant impact that retail crime has on businesses, their staff and the wider community, and we are committed to using every tool available to disrupt and deter prolific offenders.

"These results demonstrate the value of working together - the support of businesses and store staff has been instrumental in helping us build robust cases and secure positive outcomes through the courts.

"While custodial sentences play an important role in protecting businesses and the public, Criminal Behaviour Orders are also a valuable tool, enabling us to place strict restrictions on offenders to prevent further offending and reduce the harm they cause to our communities.

"We will continue to work proactively alongside retailers, partners and local communities to target those responsible for this type of offending, and we would encourage anyone with information or concerns to report them to us.

“We are asking the public to help us to track down a number of individuals who have been responsible for causing harm to local businesses and are wanted in connection with shoplifting offences.

“Anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of the following should contact us quoting the reference number against their name.”