The kitchen of a house in Harlington Road, Sharpenhoe, was gutted by fire on Monday morning.

Two pumps from Dunstable attended the blaze.

A Luton Polish woman claims she lost the baby she was carrying through the stress of being made redundant by banana importers S H Pratt & Co of Laporte Way.

Bernarda Sip, 34, of Chequer Street was 27 weeks pregnant when her child was stillborn on January 9.

Her cousin Jack Ptasinski was with her when she went into labour and took her to hospital.

He said: “It was her first baby, so this is tough for her. It is a very bad time.”
He added: “She was sent a letter in November saying she was being made redundant on January 11 because her language skills were not sufficient.

“But she has been working as a warehouse operator for the company since May 2006 – so how come it is only now, after seven years, that her English is a problem?

“Other people who have not been there as long are still employed there.”

Mr Ptasinski, a car mechanic from London, said they had an appointment with a solicitor. In the meanwhile he had helped Ms Sip register at the Job Centre.

S H Pratt – which imports, ripens and delivers fruit – announced in October that it planned to axe about a third of its 300-strong workforce.

GMB Union regional officer Sue Hackett described its redundancy selection criteria as “horrific.”

She said: “They appeared to simply pick and choose people they wanted to get rid of with no physical evidence or previous discplinary action.

“We’re trying to get an equality audit and are waiting for legal opinion.”

A spokesman for Pratts said: “We would like to express our sympathy to Bernarda Sip and her family.

“We operated a fair selection process to identify those employees who are remaining with the company.

“During the consultation process, we held group meetings with the trade union and employee representatives, as well as individual discussions with all affected employees to explain what’s happening and to look for ways to minimise the impact of the proposed changes.”

The councillor in charge of Luton Borough Council’s finances has resigned, weeks before the budget is due.

Labour Councillor Robin Harris handed in his notice at the start of the week.

The Farley ward councillor and portfolio holder for finance is a member of the counncil’s executive committee and was first elected in May 1995.

A Luton council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Cllr Harris tendered his resignation as a member of the council at the start of this week. Consistent with statutory requirements, his resignation was accepted with immediate effect and a ‘notice of casual vacancy in the office of councillor’ in the Farley ward displayed on the Town Hall noticeboard and on the council’s website.”

A finance update and budget report is expected at the next meeting of the Scrutiny Finance Review Group on January 29.

Cllr Harris’ resignation as a member of the council also causes him to resign his position as a director of London Luton Airport Ltd.

The board will consider the appointment of a chair and, in discussion with the shareholder, will seek to appoint a new director in the course of its business.

Mr Harris was one of three members representing the Farley ward.

A by-election will be called in the event that it is requested by two members of the electorate.

Earlier thsi month, Labour member Councillor Naseem Ayub was suspended by her party but continues to fulfil council duties including being part of the executive committee.

Her husband Councillor Mohammad Ayub was also suspended from the Labour party.

They are both being investigated over allegations of comments made on Facebook.

A man from Marsh Farm has been charged with a string of drugs offences.

Shane Powell-Foster, 24, is charged with four counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely crack cocaine and heroin.

The Five Springs resident was charged in connection with an incident that happened on October 24, 2013 and a further incident in Five Springs on January 16, 2014.

Powell-Foster appeared before Luton Magistrate’s Court on January 18 and was remanded in to custody to appear before Luton Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on February 18.

The cinema schedule is groaning under the strain as heavyweight efforts continue to hit the screen, all aiming to build up a head of steam as we enter peak awards time.

A typical effort is August: Osage County, a 15-rated slab of pointedly grown-up cinema with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts leading a top-notch ensemble cast.

Matriarch Meryl, who is not long for this world, summons her fractured family after drunken hubby Sam Shepard disappears.

Daughter Julia Roberts is accompanied by other half Ewan MacGregor, while Juliette Lewis, Chris Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch lend support.

It’s produced by George Clooney, adapted by Tracy Letts from her own Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and put together by director John ‘West Wing, ER’ Wells. It just about screams ‘nominate me’ but you have to admit it’s a classy piece of work.

Less mainstream is Inside Llewyn Davis, in which the enigmatic Coen brothers turn their gaze on a week in the life of a struggling, Dylan-esque 1960s folk musician.

Unknown Oscar Isaac is the tousled and troubled troubador, whose problems include getting foul-mouthed Carey Mulligan pregnant. She’s married to his best mate Justin Timerlake, to make things worse.

Already a winner at Cannes and boasting a pitch perfect soundtrack, fans will love it but the unconverted will be shuffling in their seats.

Even this week’s run of the mill releases have a touch of class. Espionage thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit goes back to the early days of Tom Clancy’s all action hero but it stars Chris Pine and Keira Knightley and Kenneth Branagh takes on directing duties, so it’s as slick as you would expect.

Grudge Match, though, is just silly – Sly Stallone and Robert De Niro square up as pensioner-age pugilists getting back into the ring to settle a feud that dates back to when both were in their prime. It would never have been made without the stars, who should both know better.

A Luton driver has been involved in a collision in which a pedestrian died.

The woman, aged 57, was driving a Rover 200 which was in collision with a 32 years old man at a pedestrian crossing in Cambridge Road, Hitchin.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the man died from his injuries at Addenbrookes hospital a few days after the collision on January 15 at around 7.30am.

The Rover driver was unhurt in the incident.

Herts Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who saw the Rover prior to the collision, to contact PC Martin Longley on 101 quoting reference 15012014-0071.

Barnfield South tops the table for GCSE results in Luton with 77 per cent of students achieving five or more A*-C grade GCSEs in English and Maths.

The figures were revealed in the annual Department for Education performance tables, published today.

Independent school Bury Park Educational Institute (Al - Hikmah Secondary School) was second with 72 per cent of students achieving this in 2013, followed by Barnfield West with 65 per cent.

Barnfield CEO Helen Mayhew said: “This is an incredible accomplishment for both students and staff of which we are very proud.

“Congratulations to Barnfield South and West Academies for their tremendous success rates. We are dedicated to ensuring that all our students reach their full potential and are now working with this year’s Year 11 students to ensure they will also celebrate similar achievements this summer.”

The GCSE results for the academy in Rotheram Avenue are its highest ever and a 26 per cent increase on the preivous year.

Denbigh, Icknield and Ashcroft High Schools all scored more than 60 per cent of students achieving five or more A*-C GCSEs (or equivalent) including English and maths GCSEs.

The worst performing school in Lutonin terms of GCSE attainment in 2013 was Barnfield Business and Enterprise Studio, where just nine per cent of students achieved five or more A*-C GCSEs.

In November last year, the Under-Secretary of State for Schools wrote to the college with an official pre-warning regarding the performance of students and highlighting the “unacceptably low” standard.

Of the 63 primary schools in Luton, Tennyson Road topped the table for 100 per cent of students achieving level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths.

Wenlock CofE Junior, Hillborough Junior and Stopsley Community Primary all had 90 per cent of pupils or more achieving Level 4 or above in reading, writing and maths -all improved from 2012.

At the bottom of the table was Whitefield Primary School Community School with 43 per cent of pupils achieving Level 4 or above, down from 63 per cent in 2012.

Cardinal Newman Catholic School A Specialist Science College had the best A-level results in Luton, closely followed by Luton Sixth Form College.

Chris Nicholls, Principal at Luton Sixth Form College, said: “We are absolutely delighted the data shows our students have made progress that is significantly better than the national average in our A Level and vocational qualifications.

“The data in the performance tables is very difficult to interpret because there are many different types of qualification studied at Luton Sixth Form College and many students take a mixture of A Level and BTEC courses.

“The facts are our percentage of high grades at both A Level and BTEC continue to rise, our retention rates have grown and our success rates have improved again and are above the national sixth form college benchmark.

“We are by far the largest provider of academic and vocational qualifications for 16 to 18-year-olds in this performance table for Luton and we are proud that we continue to provide an outstanding education for over half of the young people in the town.”

Of the students taking A-levels in Luton last year, 99.8 per cent got at least one A-level and 76.2 per cent achieved at least two,

For more analysis and comment from the schools, see the Luton News.

Cute comedic yarn ABOUT TIME (12: Universal) stands tall alongside Richard Curtis’s romantic classics Notting Hill and Four Weddings And A Funeral.

Single man Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) turns 21 and gets the chance to improve his unhappy life when his father (Bill Nighy) reveals they both have the ability to travel back in time and change their personal history.

He uses that talent in the way that, perhaps, most guys would at that age – to get a girlfriend. As Tim tries to win the heart of an American woman (Rachel McAdams) he has fallen for the film turns into a celebration of those little moments that we all too often take for granted.

Unusually, it’s not the boy-meets-girl story that’s the most touching, but rather Tim’s relationship with his dad (a typically bumbling Nighy) that gives the movie its heart.

Once you overcome the limited scope of the tale, it’s a rewarding experience.

> Hugh Jackman is pushed to the limit in PRISONERS (15: Entertainment One), a haunting thriller that will keep you rooted to your seat throughout.

He’s cast as the father of a kidnapped girl, while Jake Gyllenhaal is the cop who, in his eyes, fails to put away the chief suspect, a young man with learning difficulties (Paul Dano).

The police can find no evidence of wrongdoing, but Jackman is not convinced of his innocence and takes it upon himself to do the questioning. It’s no more Mr Nice Guy and his heavy-handed tactics involve kidnapping the suspect to force him into a confession.

Prisoners can be difficult to watch because of the extreme violence and the turn of events that leads to decent people, including the parents of another child who has also gone missing, becoming party to the torture.

> Kristen Wiig was fearless in her quest for laughs in smash hit Bridesmaids and she’s playing the loser again in GIRL MOST LIKELY (12: Lionsgate). But this is a comedy that fails to deliver after showing a lot of early promise.

Wiig is a struggling writer forced to move back home to live with her batty mum (Annette Bening) and her lover (Matt Dillon).

The household also includes an eccentric brother and the lodger who’s taken over her bedroom.

Wiig is a likeable actress, but her character here is weighed down with too many neuroses, while her dalliance with the free-spirited house guest just doesn’t ring true.

And although Bening and Dillon are wickedly funny, these are roles they could do in their sleep.

> Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake and Gemma Arterton, the leading players in thriller RUNNER RUNNER (15: 20th Century Fox), seem to have been dealt an empty hand and no one walks away a winner.

It’s a tired old story of a young achiever who gets in over his head and the film manages to feel sluggish despite the fast pace.

Timberlake is a maths whizz who uses gambling to pay his way through college in what we’re assured is a growing trend in these economically troubled times.

When he lands a job with an online gambling mogul any sense of topicality dwindles.

Affleck is on autopilot as the corrupt boss who tempts his young protege with Costa Rica’s party lifestyle, while Arterton is treated like set dressing as the two men’s love interest.

Nearly 100 people were arrested for drink or drug driving offences by Bedfordshire Police in their Christmas campaign.

The figures, released on Wednesday, show 98 arrests were made between December 1 last year and January 1, 2014.

Overall between Beds, Cambs and Herts, the three forces saw a slight increase in the number of people stopped and arrested compared with the same month the previous year.

Of the breath tests administered, 246 took place following collisions and 604 did not involve collisions.

Chief Inspector Richard Hann from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Roads Policing Unit said: “Whether the figures go up or down year on year it is always a concern that there are still people putting themselves and others at risk by drinking and taking drugs before driving and we will continue to target into the new year and beyond.”

The penalty for driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs includes a minimum 12-month disqualification, as well as a fine and/or imprisonment.

Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs now carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment and a disqualification of at least two years.

The legal alcohol limit for driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood but there is no failsafe guide to the amount a driver can safely consume.

The amount and type of alcoholic drink, the weight, sex and metabolism of the driver all play a part.

If you are unsure, don’t drive.

Chief Insp Hann said: “There’s no excuse for drinking and driving. If you do go out for a drink, never try to calculate whether you’re under the legal limit. Arrange a safe way to get home, such as a lift from a trusted friend who hasn’t been drinking, or use a registered taxi.”

Call 101 if you know a drink driver and tell police when and where they drink. If you know someone has been drinking and is about to drive, always call 999.

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with some of the weird and wonderful objects at Wardown Park Museum.

From February 15, a new weekly event is being launched at the Luton museum on New Bedford Road and each week, visitors can drop in and take part in an object-handling session.

The museum will be searching its stores and bringing out objects for people to see and handle, many of which have never been on display.

Saturday Selection is a new series of events to showcase the variety of the collections held by Wardown Park Museum and a great way for visitors to learn about the museum’s collections as well as see objects that are not often (or perhaps ever) on display.

It’s also an opportunity for Wardown Park Museum to find out more about the types of artefacts and exhibitions local people find most interesting.

Each Saturday there will be two sessions for visitors to drop in and see the objects: 10am – 12pm and the second 2pm – 4pm. The event is free and drop in.

Wardown Park Museum is also looking for volunteers to get involved and help with running with Saturday Selection.

Anyone with an interest in museums and objects, who might want to get involved and learn more should contact the Museum Makers team on 01582 546659. Full training will be provided.

Officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, have charged a 15-year-old Luton boy with attempted murder and rape.

The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged in connection with an incident that happened in Lewsey Park on the evening of January 19, 2014.

He will appear before Luton Youth Court this morning, (Friday, January 24).

A 14 year old girl is still in a critical condition in hospital following the incident.

The former leader of the English Defence League went to prison yesterday knowing his life will now be in danger every second he is behind bars

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, 31, who founded the EDL, is now a marked man, reviled by his former associates in the right wing group as well as Islamist fanatics, Al-Shabab.

Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, was jailed for a total of 18 months for his part in a conspiracy to fraudulently obtain two mortgages amounting to £162,000.

He made two loans to people wanting to buy property and then pointed them towards a bent woman mortgage broker who helped obtain phoney pay slips and income details.

The court heard the thirty one year old father of three will have to spend his time in custody in solitary confinement because he is now in danger.

His barrister Charles Sherrard QC said that in January 2013 when Yaxley-Lennon was jailed for 10 months for using someone else’s passport to travel to the USA, he had spent the whole time in solitary and was moved to four different jails for his safety.

“Even in solitary he was regarded as being in danger,” said Mr Sharrard.

Since last autumn when he announced he had left the EDL, citing increasingly racist elements within the group, he has now been alienated by the followers in the organisation he once led.

Yaxley-Lennon founded the EDL in 2009 after five Muslim men demonstrated in Luton against a homecoming parade by the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Mr Sherrard said that: “He has alienated another large part of the community who saw him as their leader.”

That meant, said the barrister, that Yaxley-Lennon would again have to spend his time away from other prisoners.

“He is on a wanted list for Al-Shabab so the prospect of prison for him takes on another level,” said Mr Sherrard.

The court heard how in the past, while still the leader of the EDL, Yaxley-Lennon’s home had been attacked and he and his family moved to a safe house.

Yesterday at St Albans crown court he appeared for sentence having earlier pleaded guilty to mortgage fraud offences.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring with others to obtain a mortgage by misrepresentation from the Abbey and Halifax building societies.

Judge Andrew Bright QC hearing the case, described Yaxley-Lennon as the “instigator if not the architect” of some of the frauds.

Passing sentence, the judge told him “This was an operation which was fraudulent from the outset and involved a significant amount of forward planning.”

Yaxley-Lennon will serve half the 18 month sentence behind bars before he is released.

He described the former EDL leader as a “fixer” by introducing others to bent mortgage broker Deborah Rothschild.

“I am satisfied you took part in a thoroughly dishonest course of conduct.”

The judge said he realised that any prison sentence he passed would be much harder for “Yaxley-Lennon” because of the need to protect him and the fact that he will have to serve it in solitary confinement.

With him in the dock was Steven Vowles, 26, of Heron Drive, Bushmead, Luton, who admitted conspiring with others to obtain a mortgage by misrepresentation and transferring criminal property. He also admitted possessing 3.48 grams of cocaine with intent to supply and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

Vowles had been a one time apprentice at Yaxley-Lennon’s plumbing business.

Lisa Moore, 28, of Newbury Lane, Silsoe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to obtain a mortgage by fraudulent misrepresentation.

Mortgage Broker Deborah Rothschild, 44, of Poplar, Toddington, pleaded guilty to four charges of conspiring to commit fraud by false representation. The charges involved the obtaining of four mortgages.

Finally, Anjee Darcy, 31, of Hardwick Green, Luton, pleaded guilty to two offences of conspiring to commit fraud by misrepresentation. and false accounting.

Judge Andrew Bright QC was told how Yaxley-Lennon had made loans totalling £40,000 to Vowles and later Moore to help them with the deposits for a property in Luton.

But he also introduced them to crooked mortgage broker Deborah Rothschild who specialised in helping people obtain a mortgage who wouldn’t normally be eligible because of insufficient income and capital.

Rothschild, the mother of a two year old son, assisted Moore, Vowles and Darcy in their fraudulent applications by providing phoney pay slips and income details.

The fraudulent mortgages she obtained came to a total of £640,000.

She was jailed for 18 months, Vowles was jailed for 27 months and Darcy was given a 15 month sentence suspended for 18 months and told she must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Moore was given a six month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and told she must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £1500.

A man who is suspected of stealing a Superdry coat from TK Maxx in Luton is shown in a CCTV image released by Beds Police today.

The incident happened at 1.20pm on November 27 last year when the offender entered the store in The Mall, put on the coat and then walked out of the shop without making any attempt to pay for the item.

If you recognise the man or have information call 101 quoting crime reference C/42715/2013.

Students in the Cardinal Newman School Choir are taking part in The Big Sing Off and are being mentored by an X Factor finalist.

Hildia Campbell from Voices With Soul, who were finalists in the 2004 series, is helping coach the choir ahead of the event in February half term.

Hildia said: “I really enjoyed mentoring the singers and I am now really looking forward to the event.”

Head of Music Stan Carter said: “Hildia’s vast experience as a professional recording artist and as a London West End performer will be invaluable to our students during their preparation for the competition. We have a great choir who not only enjoy singing but also each other’s company which has created a strong group and can share their talent.’

A woman was arrested by UK Border Agency Officers at an address in Luton on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old was one of 19 people arrested in operations across the UK, targeting suspected immigration fraud.

Uk Border Agency officers were supported by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into the Khalsa Missionary Society in Cheetham Road, Manchester.

The investigation is focused on the sponsoring of Indian nationals to work at the society as Ministers of Religion, under Tiers 2 and 5 of the points-based system for migrant workers.

Officers visited 15 addresses in Slough, Southall, Southampton, Luton, Hounslow, Birmingham and Leicester shortly after 7am.

Ten were arrested on suspicion of obtaining leave by deception, contrary to Section 24 of the 1971 Immigration Act.

They are now being questioned at police stations across the UK, and all the addresses visited are being searched.

A further nine people encountered during the raids were arrested for immigration offences, including overstaying their visas. The nine are unconnected to the criminal investigation and steps will now be taken to remove them from the UK.

Three separate cash seizures were also made and are now subject to investigation.

In total six women in their 20s, a 44-year-old woman, a 30-yearold woman, and two men in their 40s were arrested.

These arrests bring the total number of people arrested in connection with the criminal investigation to 22.

Nick Wood, from the Home Office criminal investigations team, said: “This is a complex operation linked to suspected immigration crime that targeted several locations across the UK.

“Our investigation will continue with the evidence we have seized.”

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit the Crimestoppers website.

A disabled man was assaulted in Tenth Avenue by three teenagers who have targeted him before on Sunday.

The 29-year-old was walking into Third Avenue at about 4pm when the teens approached him and pulled his shopping bag from his grasp.

They pushed him, verbally abused him and threw his shopping around the street.

PC Jag Dhillon said: “The victim in this case is vulnerable and has experienced this type of abuse before by the same group of people. We need to stop this behaviour now and I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident in Sunday or anyone who can help identify those responsible to contact the police.”

The first offender is described as a mixed race boy with short dark hair and a skinny build, wearing tracksuit bottoms and a hooded top.

The second offender is described as a white boy with short hair and light coloured eyes, wearing a grey jumper or hooded top.

The third offender is described as a white girl with brown shoulder length hair and blue eyes, wearing a shirt.

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

Residents in Farley are concerned about break-ins in the area after a spate earlier in the month.

Beds Police recorded a number of incidents – most of which involved offenders trying to break in through garage doors – and believe they may be linked.

Tools and food were the main items taken from the garages along with some bikes.

In Wolston Close on January 7, a garage door was forced open and tools and food were taken.

A week later, food and a bicycle were taken from a garage in Wolston Close after entry was gained via a garage door that had been damaged during a previous break-in.

In Heath Close on the same night a garage door was forced open but the offender was disturbed by a neighbour and nothing was taken.

Ryton Close was targeted on January 8 when again a garage door was forced and tools and food were taken.

There were a further two incidents in Ryton Close over Christmas when entry was gained through an insecure garage door. A bicycle and power tools were taken in one and a BMX and a mountain bike were taken in the other incident.

A police spokesperson said: “The reduction of burglary remains a priority for Bedfordshire Police and Operation Peak, the force’s initiative to make our county difficult for offenders to operate in continues to visit areas where burglaries are regularly reported. However, residents can help in the fight against crime by making sure their homes and out buildings are locked and secure at all times. Ensure the locks used are of a good standard and report any suspicious activity in your area immediately to the police.”

To watch a video of Luton News reporters on patrol with Beds Police officers in burglary hotspots, visit http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/crime/video-on-patrol-with-police-in-burglary-reduction-week-1-5748793

Musicians at Luton Sixth Form College were given the chance to perform on one of the grandest grand pianos in the country last week.

A Fazioli grand piano visited the college for a series of special events including a piano masterclass run by a professional musician, a workshop for students from Stopsley and Icknield High Schools, a recording session and a talk on the development of piano building.

On Monday night there was a shared piano recital, Stars of the Future, featuring four prize-winning artists from the prestigious Jaques Samuel International Piano Competition as part of Luton Music Club’s Music on Mondays series.

But the star of the show was the instrument itself – 9ft in length, worth £115,000 and hand made by piano manufacturing company Fazioli Pianoforti at its factory in north-east Italy.

Composer and pianist Richard Sisson, who is in charge of programming at Luton Music Club, said: “It’s one of the top 20 pianos in the country, so the students got to enjoy playing a thoroughbred instrument.

“It’s like driving a Rolls Royce. It’s hand-made, has quality craftsmanship and there’s technology at the cutting edge of piano design in there.”

The piano was played virtually every minute it was at the college, with about 40 students and staff giving it a tinkle.

The director of Age Concern Luton is calling for a rethink on town centre parking after the charity was hit with a number of parking fines.

Colette McKeaveney said the charity has received several parking tickets, particularly when using the loading bay by their King Street office.

When workers are loading items into the van, they lock the doors each time they go back into the office.

Colette said: “Apparently if you shut the doors of the van you are not deemed as ‘loading’ so we get fines despite not overstaying the 15 minute limit.

“If we left the van open, people could steal things from out the back. We have all sorts in there including tools which could be stolen for use in assaults and break-ins. The loading bay is on the opposite side of the road and the boxes are bulky so we have no choice but to lock the van each time we go back for more.”

A LBC spokesperson said the traffic regulation order in King Street does not allow for any exemptions for charity vehicles.

They said: “Loading and unloading restrictions are in place to avoid congestion, allow free movement of traffic and allow all drivers to access parking in the area.”

“If someone wishes to challenge a ticket they must follow correct procedures and the council will consider it.”

Colette said: “I understand we have to abide by policies but the policies have to be sensible in the first place. As a charity we are providing the best service imaginable to vulnerable people in the town. Within an hour of being notified we get heaters out to someone in need, we are always getting emergency referrals for people coming out of hospital who need our help. Getting these tickets is costly and frustrating.”

Colette called for some “common sense”.

She said: “We know carers always have problems too, if they are taking heavy shopping into a disabled person’s house or walking a frail person up the drive they shouldn’t be getting tickets. We need sensible rules.

“Town centre parking is always a problem but times are changing. We’ve got the busway now – maybe we can have a rethink on parking.”

Bogus police officers assaulted a motorist in Whipperley Way after asking him to pull over.

Beds Police are warning drivers to be extra cautious and check the credentials of any officers driving unmarked cars who pull them over as they drive through town.

At 2.59am on Saturday a 41-year-old man was signalled to stop by a driver in a dark-coloured Mercedes displaying blue lights.

Two men got out of the Mercedes and asked the victim to step out of his car.

They took the victim’s ignition key before assaulting him and taking his wallet.

The two offenders are described as two black men, both 25 to 30 years old, 5’6” tall and wearing dark clothes with hoods pulled up over their heads.

The victim managed to get home and arranged for his car to be recovered.

Det Con Cathy Layton said: “Officers stopping motorists will always identify themselves with official identification cards and I would recommend that anyone who is stopped by officers in plain clothes asks to see an identification card. If you are still unsure you can contact the force control room on 101 and confirm that you are dealing with bona fide police officers.

“I would also like to urge anyone who can help identify the two men involved in this incident from the descriptions given to come forward and assist this investigation.”

Anyone with information about this incident can contact Det Con Layton, in confidence, at Luton Police Station, on 01582 394471, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

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