A woman had her mobile phone snatched from her hands near the Town Hall on Thursday.

The victim, 30, was in George Street at 5.30pm when a man on a BMX who had been cycling slowly around several members of the public in the area beforehand, grabbed her phone.

The offender is described as thin, wearing a light-coloured hooded top and darka bottoms, and he cycled off along Wellington Street.

PC Lucy Craddock said: “I urge members of the public to take extra care when using their mobile telephones while out and about during the dark winter nights. I would also encourage anyone who was in the George Street area of Luton on Thursday to come forward and speak with officers if they noticed a man on a bike matching this description. These people may have further information that could help identify the man responsible for this crime and help stop this happening to another innocent person.”

Anyone with information relating to this investigation can contact PC Craddock, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A lucky 13-year-old girl has been chosen as part of a unique trio for an eye-catching display of life-size statues on the Upper Lea Valley Walk near Luton.

She is unofficially the ‘Angel of the South’ carved from the same metal as the iconic Angel of the North near Gateshead.

When she joined the First Luton Sea Scouts in September 2011, Neha Shah had no idea her carved portrait would soon share a site overlooking Luton Hoo along with comedian Eric Morecambe and famous landscape designer Lancelot (Capability) Brown.

But she is now one of more than 250 subjects chosen by thousands of people around the UK whose sculptures grace 85 national pathways.

Sustrans, the award-winning walking and cycling charity said: “We created the Portrait Benches to honour local people who make an important contribution to the life of their community. They also provide an eye-catching life-size group you can sit among to capture the spirit of the region.” In Luton, the Sea Scouts were selected as the oldest group in the town who have made their own unique contribution to the youth of the area since they were formed in 1909.

And they still sail their boats on the lake at Luton Hoo designed by Capability Brown.

On selection night, all the best turned-out Sea Scouts had their names entered into a random draw and Neha was the lucky winner. Her photograph, taken at the time, was used as the model for her lifelike statue.

The Harlington Upper School pupil said: “What an awesome prize. I just can’t believe it.” Neha’s mother Rita said: “My daughter loves the Scouts and the amazing opportunities they have for water activities and adventure sports. She has her heart set on a place at Oxford University but knows she has to work hard to stand a chance.”

Part of one of the biggest ever public arts projects in the UK, the statues on the Luton to Harpenden pathway were manufactured by Midlands-based laser-cutting specialists Laser Process Ltd. They chose Corten steel for the project as it ages to a deep tan colour and will last for decades just like the Angel of the North.

In years to come Neha can bring her children to the spot to show them what their mother did all those years ago. A party of Sea Scouts, led by Scout leader Phil Jeffries, made a special journey to the site high up on the Upper Lea Valley Walk near Luton to give Neha a rousing cheer when the statues were unveiled.

For a thrilling slice of escapism, look no further than THE LONE RANGER (12: Walt Disney), which engages in the same kind of myth-making that made the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise such a success.

This enjoyable Western adventure is helped enormously by Johnny Depp, who delivers a wonderfully quirky performance as Tonto, and Armie Hammer, perfectly cast as the title character, his clean-cut cowboy foil.

How did an idealistic Texas Ranger become the legendary masked outlaw? Tonto relates the story to a wide-eyed kid at a Wild West sideshow and it mainly revolves around the pair’s efforts to thwart a corrupt railway pioneer (Tom Wilkinson) from rolling through Comanche territory.

Classic Western vistas are used to create a stunning backdrop for superbly staged action, helping to distract from a bloated middle section and Helena Bonham Carter’s ridiculous turn as a one-legged madam.

> It’s so refreshing to see a British comedy that thinks small and stays local, even if ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA (15: Studio Canal) doesn’t travel further than Cromer.

Steve Coogan’s endearingly foot-in-mouth Norfolk broadcaster debuted in 1991, so you could never accuse him of rushing a movie adaptation.

Here, with the station taken over and re-branded by a media conglomerate, who sack a fellow DJ (Colm Meaney), Alan acts as mediator in a police siege and inadvertently earns viral notoriety.

Alpha Papa abstains from the high-concept, travelogue approach of other small-to-big-screen comedy characters, like those of Sacha Baron Cohen and Mr Bean.

Instead the film draws from Partridge’s TV universe featuring Tim Key’s sidekick, Felicity Montagu’s PA and Phil Cornwell’s damaged jock.

They all benefit from a cleverly honed script full of hilarious lines and directed with sharp comic timing.

> Animated adventure PLANES (U: Walt Disney) is essentially an airborne take on Cars.

The familiar underdog tale centres on crop duster Dusty (voiced by Dane Cook), who aims to satisfy his need for speed by entering the ‘Wings Around The Globe’ race. The trouble is he’s hamstrung by a fear of heights.

Other contestants aren’t convinced he will conquer his phobia, branding him a hick and an upstart. Flyovers across M exico, Germany and the Himalayas help Dusty realise who his real friends are and the excitement builds after an unpromising start.

While youngsters are thrilled by the fast-paced animated action through storms, train tunnels and canyons, older viewers will enjoy the in-jokes and one-liners.

> If you laughed at the original film, you’ll probably laugh at ghastly follow-up GROWN UPS 2 (12: Sony). Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kevin James and David Spade engage in the same mind-numbing mix of childish slapstick and excessive toilet humour.

As a measure of the sequel’s subtlety, the opening scene involves a deer peeing into Sandler’s mouth. The plot is almost incidental, following Sandler’s hotshot Hollywood agent as he moves his family back to the town he grew up in and picking up where he left off with his old pals.

Midlife craziness ensues, with japes including that incontinent deer, an inflatable raft joke, a soft porn school ballet recital and a guy who ‘excretes’ chocolate ice cream

Enterprise agency Wenta has won a national award for excellence in supporting new businesses.

Wenta, which runs the My Incubator centre at Basepoint in Luton, fought off competition from across the country to win the national award for Local Enterprise Agency of the Year at the National Enterprise Network’s annual ceremony.

Abi Hall, Wenta’s head of marketing, said: “We have just celebrated Wenta’s 30th Anniversary and it’s fantastic to be receiving this prestigious award in the same year. The whole team are extremely proud of this achievement.”

The NEN judging panel said Wenta took away the award “due to its impressive efforts in providing a huge range of enterprise support services through its dedicated advisory services, bespoke education programme and business centres; as well as its new concept of business incubators and unique online advice portal – making itself approachable to clients whether face to face or using remote/social media channel.”

For more information visit www.wenta.co.uk

A press manufacturer has built an entirely new machine to help one of its customers.

BRUDERER UK, which employs 11 people at its facility in Cradock Road, Luton, says the integration of a complex planetary system gearbox into the shaft of the main motor is a world first.

The new piece of kit will allow engineers at Portsmouth-based electronic component specialist Harvin to have full control of tooling development to produce test runs of new products. The deal for £500,000 has built on a 30-year relationship.

Adrian Haller, managing director at BRUDERER UK, said: “This is a really exciting project and we’re delighted to bring new machine technology to the UK, which will help a forward-looking manufacturer expand and create jobs.

“We listened to what Harwin wanted and, by working with experts at our parent company in Switzerland, came up with a solution that met their exact requirements.”

Management is keen to build on annual sales of £3m in 2013.

Tourism businesses from across Bedfordshire are ramping up efforts to make the county a top destination.

A tourism partnership called Experience Bedfordshire reckons the county could receive a huge boost by firms working together.

A website at www.experiencebedfordshire.co.uk has been created to become a one-stop shop for community groups to highlight their events as well as provide a focus for hotels like Luton Hoo, destinations like Whipsnade Zoo and sporting occasions.

Experience Bedfordshire’s outgoing chairman, David Timmis told a members’ event at Warren Weir near Luton Hoo hotel, that there is “huge potential for growth” in tourism and events.

Figures from Central Bedfordshire Council quoted at the meeting on November 19, suggest visitors spend aound £264million in the area’s economy every year and 14,035 jobs depend on it.

Viviane Vayssieres, the organisation’s chief executive, said one of the major issues was making sure tourism businesses had access to people with the right skills.

Hundreds of jobs are currently up for grabs at the new Center Parcs near Woburn and courses have been held by Central Bedfordshire College aimed at giving young people basic skills needed to apply.

Mrs Vassieres said she was sure that the Rugby World Cup in 2015 would be good for the county.

Experience Bedfordshire is talking to tour and coach operators about bringing people in.

They believe next year could be big for weddings and there are plans to take advantage of items being Grown In and Made In Bedfordshire, including selling items on the site.

Mr Timmis said plans to bring in more international visitors to the county was a “percentage game” but that there is a “lot of interest in the county” and “the signs are positive.”

Luton Airport managing director Glyn Jones said £100million plans to expand capacity would lead to more people coming to the area.

Deprivation, lifestyle and close blood relationships are the main causes of the high infant mortality rate in Luton, a year-long review has found.

The Infant Mortality Task and Finish Group presented their findings to the Luton Borough Council overview and scrutiny board last night.

It is hoped the findings and recommendations of the report will help to reduce the town’s infant mortality rate, which is the seventh highest in the country with 7.5 infant deaths per 1,000 compared to the national average of 4.5.

Chair of the group, Councillor Roxanna Whittaker, said in her foreword to the report: “The death of a child is a tragedy for the family and the wider community. In Luton, the significantly higher than national infant mortality rate has been a cause for concern for some years.

“Infant mortality is a complex and sensitive subject...I hope the recommendations will help improve outcomes and have a positive impact on families and babies in Luton.”

The review found that there is significant evidence that the high rate of infant mortality in Luton can be partly attributable to genetic anomalies as a result of consanguinity (relationships between blood relatives).

The genetic effects of consanguinity are far more prevalent in Luton’s Pakistani/Kashmiri community, although this is not the only community where consanguineous relationships are known to exist.

The number of infant deaths in Luton’s British Pakistani community is “disproportionately high”, at 50 per cent of the total, even though the British Pakistani population of Luton is 18.5 per cent. In 2009, 25 per cent of Luton babies were born to Pakistani mothers.

The report said that consanguineous marriage is a “cultural norm” in Luton and it is important couples are aware of the risks so they can make informed choices. Further research is required to establish the understanding in these communities and to decide what action to take to reduce the number of babies born with genetic anomalies and life-limiting disorders.

Deprivation and lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol abuse is the other main factor. Suggestions are made for how the public health agenda can tackle this, although there are concerns that welfare reform may adversely impact it.

The report concludes: “It is our hope that this report stimulates debate within the community on how to tackle these issues.”

“Carrie had some sort of power. But she was just like me...like any of you, she had hopes, she had fears, but we pushed her. And you can only push someone so far before they break...”

We know that high school can be a grim experience for many, with the threat of bullying and the fear of being the ‘oddball’ who doesn’t fit in with the cool kids. Carrie, based on the Stephen King novel, taps into a deep vein of pain which anyone who has been ridiculed, hurt or picked on at school will be able to relate to.

This new version is a remake of the Brian De Palma 1976 original, hailed by many as a modern horror classic. Director Kimberly ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ Peirce brings the tale of poor young Carrie White – played here by Chloë ‘Kick Ass’ Grace Moretz – to the screen with lots of special effects and no small amount of heart.

Alas it never quite manages to come across as anything other than an homage and doesn’t do enough new to make it stand out, apart from some social media elements to reflect the times we live in, and more gruesome deaths.

Having said that, Peirce’s version is a least a competent retelling, which doesn’t completely sully the good name of the original like some other horror remakes we could mention.

Carrie just isn’t like other girls her age thanks to her domineering religious nut of a mother Margaret White (Julianne Moore, who delivers good wrathful zealot). Outcast and bullied, Carrie’s life is pretty unbearable but, unlike most people who get victimised, she has the gift of telekinesis and when tricked and humiliated at the school prom she unleashes bloody vengeance.

Lead bitch bully duty falls to Chris (Portia Doubleday) who leads the school class in sustained malicious taunting and then, aided and abetted by her dodgy older boyfriend Billy (Alex ‘Chronicle’ Russell), sets up Carrie to be an object of ridicule at the prom.

Also involved is Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde) who tries to atone for her part in the attack by making her popular boyfriend Tommy (Ansel Elgort) invite Carrie to the prom, thus inadvertently setting up the climatic finale.

This version went down well with my teenage son and his girlfriend and delivers a good looking spooky revenge-em-up – but for a deeper insight into Stephen King’s unsettling story you should still really seek out the original cinema experience.

A hotel in Luton closed at very short notice as its parent company went into administration on Friday.

The Strathmore Hotel which overlooks St George’s Square is part of Menzies Hotels group.

Property group Topland bought 12 of Menzies’ 15 hotels for around £80million, but hotels in Swindon, Luton and Gatwick were excluded from the deal.

The closure of the three hotels has resulted in the loss of 155 jobs.

>Have you been affected by the closure? Get in touch @LutonNewsConnie or comment below:

Two people have been approached at cash points in Luton and had their cards taken from them.

The first incident happened at 2.30pm on Tuesday outside Lloyds Bank in Riddy Lane.

A woman, 43, was using the cash point when a man told her the machine was ‘playing up’.

When she was part way through her transaction another man stretched over and pressed the cancel button.

He told her it wasn’t working and had withheld her cash card and when the woman went in to the bank to request her card back she was told the machine was working correctly and the card had been removed.

The second incident happened shortly after at the cash point outside the BP garage on Barton Road.

A 77-year-old man was withdrawing cash from the machine when a man stretched over, and with a piece of paper covering his hands, began to press several buttons.

The victim was told by a second man to put another card in to the machine as the original card was stuck. The victim returned home and realised during the confusion the men had managed to withdraw £250 from his account and had taken one of his bank cards.

The officer in charge of these investigations, PC Becky Taylor, would like to warn residents in the town to be extra vigilant when using cash machines in the town, not to allow anyone to stand too close to them when using cash machines and to report any suspicious people to the police immediately.

Anyone with information relating to these investigations can contact PC Taylor, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A woman was tied up and had a pillow put over her face during a burglary in Stoneygate Road on Friday.

Two men forced their way into the house at 12.50am through the back door and woke the 55-year-old resident.

They tied her wrists up and placed a pillow over her face while they searched the property.

A large quantity of Asian gold was taken during the incident and the offenders left the scene in an unknown direction.

The victim managed to raise the alarm and police are investigating.

One of the burglars is described as a man, possibly African, about 6ft tall and 32 years old.

Det Con Scott Hannam is keen to trace anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity in the area recently or anyone who is offered Asian gold for sale.

Det Con Hannam said: “I would ask local residents to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious people they see in their area to the police, immediately. Anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Stoneygate Road area during the early hours of Friday morning is urged to contact the police as they may have vital information that could help this investigation.

“It is important that anyone who has jewellery in their home, whether it be worth a lot of money or be of sentimental value, takes the appropriate precautions and help discourage any further offences of this nature happening. Keeping it out of sight and locked away somewhere safe. This is one of the easiest things you can do and will help save the heartache of losing something that is precious to you.”

Luton Hoo staff will be bringing added sparkle and joy to the Luton&Dunstable Hospital children’s ward party on Christmas Eve.

They’re providing presents for all the parents – mums will receive a spa pass and dads will be able to enjoy a round of golf.

Manager Matthew Long said: “Christmas Day in hospital is a difficult time for both children and their parents. “We’re sure the party will be a happy event for all involved.”

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for help to trace a 21 year old man who has been missing since yesterday evening (December 1).

Sean Kennedy – who turned 21 on Saturday - was last seen at approximately 6.15pm when he was dropped off at Harlington Train Station by his mother. Sean was expected to return to his home address in Flitwick but never arrived.

Officers are concerned as it is out of character for Sean not to contact his family or friends.

Sean is a white male, around six feet tall, of slim build, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a black jacket with a hood, a light grey bobble hat, dark blue trainers with white soles and a Diesel watch with a brown strap.

If anyone has any information about the whereabouts of Sean please contact the Missing Persons Unit at Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

A university chief has been accused of hypocrisy for imposing a pay freeze on staff and delaying spending at the same time as taking expensive flights to business meetings overseas.

A Freedom of Information request by the Luton News found that University of Bedfordshire vice chancellor Bill Rammell has taken seven long distance flights with colleagues since his appointment in September 2012, at a cost of £28,197.

The university points out that it has a policy to take economy class flights but the Vice Chancellor has the discretion to vary the policy and has a contractual right to use first and business class when travelling by train or air.

But the Vice Chancellor’s decision making has been called into question by a representative of the staff union.

A spokesperson for the University and College Union (UCU) said: “Staff at the University of Bedfordshire are out on strike today because their pay has been slashed in real terms by 13 per cent in the past four years.

“The hypocrisy of a vice-chancellor enjoying a six figure salary and these kind of perks, while keeping down staff pay and citing our financial position as a reason to freeze and delay spending, is quite staggering.

“The people running our universities really need to learn there is not one rule for those at the top and one for everyone else, and come back to the negotiating offer with a fair deal for staff.”

The flights detailed by the university included Muscat in Oman in the middle east, Canton, Beijing and Hong Kong in China and Singapore.

A university spokesman pointed out that the reason for the flights is to access the lucrative international student market. It was to attend graduation ceremonies at overseas partner institutions; to liaise with overseas partner institutions; to explore and form new relationships with potential overseas partner institutions; and to deliver a keynote speech at the Going Global Conference.

He said: “Income from international recruitment and international collaboration totals £30 million of the university’s overall income of £140 million. The cost of travel to secure this business overseas should be seen in this context.”

The university also revealed that it is its practice that the Vice Chancellor is accompanied by at least one other member of staff on all overseas visits.

With the next slab of The Hobbit lurking in the wings, new releases this week are on the lightweight side.

Frozen is being given the biggest marketing push as we head into the family film season.

It’s a PG-rated Disney animated adventure in which a feisty young heroine battles to save her kingdom from a permanent big freeze.

Kristen Bell provides the voice of the central character of this warmed-over reworking of the Hans Christian Andersen Ice Queen tale, but there aren’t many other big names in the cast list.

However, it’s confidently billed as coming from the creators of the well-regarded Tangled and Wreck-It Ralph and has been building up an impressive amount of buzz ahead of release.

Homefront isn’t a big-screen DIY show – it’s the latest Jason Statham vehicle trundling off the production line.

The action man of the moment is a dad forced to take on an evil drug lord.

As it happens, as well as being a dad he’s a former undercover agent specialising in taking down evil drug lords, so that comes in handy when he comes up against James Franco. According to promo material, it’s been adapted by Sylvester Stallone from the novel by Chuck Logan. Don’t expect sensitive.

There’s also Nebraska, a generation gap road comedy shot in black and white with Bruce Dern the grumpy old man who has apparently won a lottery jackpot, even though his son insists it is a scam. They set off for the HQ of the lottery firm in the isolated state of the title, and heartwarming comedy ensues.

Watch our video of the Pride in Bedfordshire awards night.

Nitin Ganatra, who plays Masood in EastEnders, was the special guest at the event held at Bedford Corn Exchange.

But the main stars were the finalists and winners from across the county in a whole host of categories.

See the highlights here on Natalee Hazelwood’s video.

Take three talented performers – a drummer with limited arm movement following a brain injury, a blind keyboard player and a guitarist who’s lapsed after alcohol abuse rehab.

Add a community company keen to set up a project working with musicians with various issues and hey presto - you have Music 24 – The Experience, a 20 week community programme.

Teela Hughes, 27 of Lewsey Farm and Graeme Davis, 52, of Kempston are co-founders of award-winning group First Note.

They hope their new venture will show how music positively affects wellbeing and quality of life.

Teela said: “When people have daily challenges and complex health problems, nothing can be certain.

“We’re currently looking to source two other group members from local health and social sectors.

“We want to work with those who are facing a range of complications, such as as autism, physical or learning disabilities, dementia and many more.”

She and Graeme need to raise more than £6,000 to get the project off the ground and are appealing for support.

She said: “Please help us try to make a difference.”

If you can help, visit www.kickstarter.com

A mother and her nine-week-old baby had a frightening ordeal when their Sat Nav sent them on to the Luton and Dunstable Guided Busway.

Clare Grist, 34, is from Suffolk and was visiting family in Luton on November 25 when she found herself on the £91m busway which the council say is “impossible” to accidentally drive on.

The social service worker’s car hit the car traps, busting two tyres and resulting in her car breaking down in the middle of a busy roundabout.

Clare said: “It was so dark but I thought the road looked a bit strange so I slowed down. Next thing my car went into a dip and the tyres bust. I managed to turn around and drive back. I don’t know Luton at all but I ended up on a big roundabout and then the car wouldn’t go any further.

“I was worried about cars coming into the back of me. It was horrible.”

A couple came to Clare’s rescue as she stood at the side of the road with her baby and took her to a nearby pharmacy where she phoned for help.

Clare said: “I was very emotional. I was thinking ‘Oh my God, I am stuck on a roundabout, I don’t know where I am and I have got a baby with me.”

The police helped Clare to move her car and it cost Clare £179 to replace the two tyres.

Other drivers have recently found themselves on the busway and Luton Borough Council say it is an offence.

Cllr Dave Taylor, portfolio holder for transportation and road safety “I am amazed how anyone claims they can ‘accidentally’ drive on the busway if they are driving with due care and attention. There are clear markings on the road, clear no entry signs and clear indications about the concrete guides and car traps. “There is no excuse for any car or van to travel on the busway. It was specifically designed for buses only and anyone who drives their own vehicle on it is foolish, irresponsible and risks facing the consequences.”

Drivers caught on the busway can be fined £1000.

Clare said: “I was lucky but someone could really get injured and it is dangerous, especially if they have children with them. I read what Councillor Taylor said and I think it is very ignorant of him to be saying that. I am a professional, a mother, a sensible person. If you don’t know the area you can easily end up on there. He is really ignorant saying that and I think they have warned people about being fined to stop people from contacting them. If they don’t do something they are going to have a court case on their hands.”

Last week a car crashed through the fence onto the busway.

A man who went missing on Sunday has been found safe and well.

Sean Kennedy, 21, from Flitwick, was last seen when his mother dropped him at Harlington Station on Sunday evening.

He was found safe and well last night.

> Contact the Missing Persons Unit in confidence on 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

Former Luton Town player Lewis Emanuel will be sentenced at Hull Crown Court on December 23 for his part in an armed robbery.

It took place at Skelmansthorpe Post Office, West Yorkshire, in May.