Bedfordshire Police has been told it ‘requires improvement’ after a first of its kind inspection by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Following its first PEEL assessment the county force was told that it needs to make a raft of improvements to the effectiveness and efficiency of its policing,

HMIC inspectors issued concern over the force’s investigation of offending and work to reduce and prevent crime, all of which were found to fall in the ‘requires improvement’ category.

The police watchdog said it had “specific concerns” on how Beds Police handles domestic abuse, though “there are now very early signs of improvement”.

In a blow for Beds police and crime commissioner Olly Martins the report added that the force requires improvement if it is to “provide affordable

policing in the longer term while keeping the public safe.”

HM Inspector of Constabulary for the eastern region, Zoë Billingham, said: “I am concerned that over the last two years police officer numbers have been cut to such a low level that the ability of Bedfordshire Police to provide an effective policing service to the public has been put at risk.

“The new Chief Constable has recognised this.

“She is increasing officer numbers and reorganising the force so it is better placed to meet the policing challenges in Bedfordshire.

“However all this takes time and the changes have yet to take effect.

“Currently, I have serious concerns about the force’s ability to reduce crime, investigate offending and provide an effective service to victims. “Hardworking frontline police officers and staff are doing their best to keep the public safe but they are very overstretched.”

Ms Billingham added that there are “fundamental weaknesses” to the way in which Beds Police responds to victims of crime, while there were also concerns over policing of domestic violence.

She said: “Staff working in neighbourhoods are often too busy responding to emergencies to be able to do effective preventative work.

“I have also had serious concerns about the service to victims of domestic abuse.

“My team of inspectors has returned to the force to assess progress a number of times this year.

“Our further inspection in October 2014 identified very early signs of an improved approach, but organisational changes need to translate rapidly into a better service to victims of domestic abuse.”

Chief constable Colette Paul registered her disappointment at the HMIC findings.

She said: “The assessment is not unreasonable given that we are in the early stages of delivering against our 2014-2019 five year plan.

“That said I am rather disappointed to see that the report does not acknowledge sufficiently the progress and improvements to-date during the past 12 months.

“It will take time to realise all of our ambitions, but we are committed to delivering this during the next five years and we are already making significant progress.”

HMIC will revisit the force for a full inspection by April 2015.

Beds police and crime commissioner Olly Martins has slammed the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary for “starting to usurp” his position after the body declared the force needs to make a raft of improvements.

This morning the HMIC published the findings of its PEEL inspection of Beds Police, with the force’s investigation of offending and work to reduce and prevent crime all found to fall in the ‘requires improvement’ category.

HMIC said it had “specific concerns” about the force’s dealing with domestic abuse, adding that Beds Police requires improvement if it is to “provide affordable policing in the longer term while keeping the public safe.”

Following the issue of the report Beds PCC Olly Martins has hit out at the HMIC, claiming that the body has “started to usurp the role of locally accountable police and crime commissioners.”

He said: “I despair of HMIC’s attitude towards Bedfordshire Police.

“They have a real ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ approach that is particularly unhelpful.

“Indeed their negative and injudicious use of language about the force could impact on staff morale and public confidence, and become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

He added: “I find it incredibly disappointing that, rather than being a critical friend in challenging times, HMIC prefers to hit police forces with a tsunami of inspections and recommendations in a costly and time consuming process that has started to usurp the role of locally accountable police and crime commissioners.”

The HMIC is the second public body Mr Martins has criticised in the space of a fortnight, as he took aim at the Independent Police Complaints Commission two weeks ago for its “long drawn out” investigation into the death of Luton man Leon Briggs.

Here’s a plan to save time and energy - and raise funds for Keech Hospice Care at the same time.

Instead of sending Christmas cards to colleagues, order a giant card from Keech, then ask fellow workers to sign it and chip in whatever they can afford.

Last year more than £10,000 was raised in this way to help the hospice.

> For more information call 01582 492339 or email info@keech.org.uk

As High Town christmas festival arrives on Sunday, Luton Borough Council are continuing their public consultations into its ‘masterplan’.

Already, the old cobbled stones of High Town Road play host to arty cafes, milliners and Victorian pubs that lend a unique charm to the area.

On Sunday November 30, a full Christmas Festival will be held, with a public consultation taking place at the empty Noah store in High Town Road from 12pm to 5pm into what more can be done to enhance its growth.

A council spokesman said: “The consultation will show a summary of feedback from previous consultations with residents undertaken in the summer and early autumn

“Visitors to the event can view the emerging strategy and proposals on the visual appearance of the area, including environmental improvements, details of how housing areas can be improved, and the proposal to create new houses.”

It is believed cultural regeneration experts, including Dr John Montgomery – responsible for revamping the Temple Bar district of Dublin – were involved in earlier consultations in summer.

Besides the consultation, other events at the Christmas Festival include a magic grotto at Marjorie’s Cafe, and craft activities at the Scandinavia Cafe, High Hats and Black and Gold. A new recording studio will also open at Greenbank Music Village.

Christmas stalls will be erected inside High Town Methodist Church and carols will be sung at the Bricklayers Arms from 5pm to 6pm.

The main Christmas Festival runs from 12.30pm to 5.30pm in the shops and cafes of High Town Road.

A four-year-old from Houghton Regis won The Mall’s Christmas gift card design competition.

Ophelia Brooks-Buckingham was chosen as the winner with her Snowman design, which is now being made into a Christmas gift card. 
She won her own version of the gift card, loaded with £250 to spend at The Mall. 
The gift card is on sale now.

Ophelia’s Dad, Kristian Brooks-Lloyd, said “To hear that Ophelia had won Design the Mall Christmas Gift Card was

great, I was extremely proud that out of all the entries her design was chosen.”

There’s the usual winning mix of wisecracking banter and mass destruction in the latest instalment of the macho Expendables franchise.

Soldier of fortune Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) retires his ageing crew of mercenaries in favour of youthful hotshots in THE EXPENDABLES 3 (12: Lionsgate).

Their mission is to capture a ruthless arms dealer (Mel Gibson), who also happens to be The Expendables’ co-founder. But when the new kids are captured, it’s “the grey team” (including Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jet Li) who come to the explosive rescue.

As well as the mad combat skills, take-no-prisoners attitude and jokey references to the action heroes’ pasts, there are some dull soul-searching stretches and the climactic duel is lame.

The most epic battle in the series so far errs on the cheesy side, but there are solid additions to the old fogey fight club (Wesley Snipes, Kellan Lutz, Kelsey Grammer and Harrison Ford), with Antonio Banderas making the biggest impression as the over-excitable, too-talkative Galgo.

> The humour is dark and incisive in surreal part-animated drama THE CONGRESS (15: Studio Canal) from Israeli director Ari Folman.

He casts Robin Wright as, erm, Robin Wright, a Hollywood actress whose agent (Harvey Keitel) is convincing her to accept a proposition from an oily film executive (Danny Huston) that would see her give up all rights to her image for two decades.

It’s an especially bold turn by Wright, who bears the brunt of some very harsh dialogue. After she signs up, the film fast-forwards 20 years. Now, on the way to the mysterious ‘Congress’ of the title, she drinks from an ampoule containing an unidentified drug and enters an anarchic, animated version of Hollywood populated by famous faces in caricature.

An entertaining film becomes a lot more wayward at this point, but even though it never quite seals the satirical promise of its first half, it does throw up some dazzling and very amusing ideas.

> Two damaged souls attempt to heal themselves through music in uplifting romantic drama BEGIN AGAIN (15: Entertainment One). Dan (Mark Ruffalo) is a washed-up record producer whose glory days are a distant memory. Gretta (Keira Knightley) is a British singer/songwriter heartbroken after splitting up with her boyfriend-cum-recording partner.

Both their lives are changed for the better, however, when Dan witnesses Gretta performing on stage and persuades her to record an album on the streets of New York.

Some of the original songs are pleasant and the cast acquit themselves well. James Corden nabs some laughs as Gretta’s busker friend, while the always excellent Ruffalo delivers plenty of charm.

> Dusty (Dane Cook), the famous racing airplane, learns that his engine is damaged and he must shift gears and find a new career in PLANES 2: FIRE & RESCUE (PG: Walt Disney). He joins an elite corps of firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park.

When a massive fire threatens the park, Dusty, with the help of fearless colleagues Blade Ranger, Dipper, Windlifter, Cabbie and the Smokejumpers, learns what it takes to become a real hero.

English Defence League co-founder and former leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon spoke at the Oxford Union last night, despite calls for the address to be cancelled.

Mr Yaxley-Lennon, from Luton, was forced to abandon a previous talk at the Oxford University debating society last month after being recalled to prison, which he claimed was as he planned to “expose secretive police units who have attempted and failed to recruit me”.

Despite a petition to cancel the 31-year-old’s invitation, which was signed by more than 220 people, the address went ahead– albeit with the presence of protesters outside the union.

At the start of a one hour and twenty minute speech to 250 students, Mr Yaxley-Lennon said that he had changed his address after warnings from probation officers to avoid several subjects.

He said: “I have three children, and I don’t want to spend Christmas in prison because of the effect that will have on them.

“I regain my freedom of speech on the 22nd July 2015 (when his license period ends).

“I would be happy to come back and speak to you freely then.”

Later in the address he claimed HM Prison Woodhill, where he was sent after being convicted of mortgage fraud, is an “ISIS training camp”.

He added: “The imams there are regarded as stooges.

“The radicals are running the wings.”

Police are looking for witnesses after a 15-year-old was assaulted and robbed by a gang of youths in Luton.

The attack took place in New Bedford Road on Friday November 21 at around 2.50pm. The teenager was walking along the streets, when approached by three Asian youths, all aged about 17.

They grabbed him and stole his Samsung S2 mobile phone and his wallet.

The first offender is described as skinny, wearing a black padded jacket, dark blue Armani jeans and black trainers. The second was chubby, about 5’2, clean-shaven and wearing a grey hooded top and dark blue jeans. The third was chubby, about 5’5, clean-shaven and wearing a black hooded top and black Nike trousers.

The victim suffered bruising in the assault.

PC Ben Stone said: “This was a busy road and there would have been a lot of people around because of pupils leaving the school nearby.

“I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information, to call police.”

Anyone with information call PC Stone on 101.

A gun amnesty across the county saw 40 guns and 14 lots of ammunition recovered by police over the space of a fortnight.

The firearms amnesty ran from Monday 10 to Friday 21 November and gave anyone who possessed a firearm or ammunition the opportunity surrender it without fear of criminal proceedings.

Procedures were in place to collect any firearms safely, while members of the public also handed weapons into police station across Bedfordshire.

During the amnesty 21 hand guns, shotguns and rifles were handed in along with 16 air rifles, two guns that fired blanks, a toy gun, three flares and 14 lots of assorted ammunition.

Chief Inspector Gavin Hughes-Rowlands, who organised the Beds Police amnesty: “With the help of the public we have removed these weapons and ammunition from the streets of Bedfordshire.

“Taking these weapons out of public circulation reduces the chance of them falling into the wrong hands and being used in future crimes.

“I’m pleased to say that the majority of firearms have been surrendered by members of the public either via our collection service or by bringing them into police stations.

“It must be remembered that Bedfordshire is a small county with only two centres of population, so we’d expect to have less handed in that other, larger neighbouring counties.”

You can still surrender weapons and ammunition by calling 101.

A teen was slashed with a kitchen knife during a robbery in Luton last week.

The victim, a 17-year-old black teenage boy, was walking down Elgar Path (between Mussons Path and Wenlock Street) at around 10.30pm when he saw four men coming towards him.

One offender looked at him and then began walking speedily towards the victim, followed by the other three.

Thinking they wanted to rob him the victim held out a £10 note which was snatched from him.

Two of the men then grabbed him by the arms, pinning him against the wall of the alley, whilst a third took out a kitchen knife and made scratches on the victim’s face and stomach.

The offenders then released the victim went back down the alley the way they had come.

The four men are all described as of Eastern European appearance.

Indivudually there are described as:

Suspect 1: White male, around 31 years old, about 6”3 tall, skinny build with short brown hair but with no facial hair.

He was wearing a black hooded top, black jogging bottoms and black Adidas trainers

Suspect 2: White male, 30-35 years old, 6”0 tall, stocky build wearing a black t-shirt, black jeans and black shoes. This male had a big flat shaped nose and was carrying a kitchen knife.

Suspect 3: White male, shorter than the others, medium build.

Suspect 4: White male, 5”10 tall wearing a black jacket and black Firetrap shoes. This male also had a short, thick beard.

If you saw these men in or around Elgar Path or know who they are contact the robbery squad quoting ref C/45485/2014, in confidence, at Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

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

Luton Borough Council is not responding to child sex exploitation “consistently well”, an Ofsted investigation has revealed.

In a survey, the first of its kind, the schools watchdog inspected the town council’s current response to child sex exploitation, along with that of seven other local authorities across the country (Brent, Bristol, Camden, Kent, Oldham, Rochdale and Rotherham).

The thematic inspection comes after a number of high- profile scandals over failings, which have embroiled Rochdale and Rotherham councils in controversy.

The findings were also published a week after a series of sexual exploitation raids in Luton, after which six women and a child were taken into care.
During the investigation it was found that “none of the eight local authorities inspected were covering child sexual exploitation well across the full range of responsibilities”.

The report read: “The performance of local authorities in delivering services to children suffering or at risk of suffering sexual exploitation in response to statutory guidance has been variable, both between and within the authorities.

“Some had used quality assurance processes to identify deficits in practice...for others, inspection brought appropriate focus to acknowledged deficits and these are now identified as areas for development.”

Inspectors found that Luton, as well as each of the other seven councils, had young people known to be at risk of sexual exploitation being supported as children in need.

The report added: “Inspectors found that child in need plans were often monitored less robustly than child protection or looked after children plans.”

None of the eight councils inspected were found to be using information about children missing or absenting themselves from school effectively, which would allow them to ”make links with the bigger picture about child sexual exploitation”.

Although the report does not individually name councils when identifying shortfalls and successes in dealing with exploitation, LBC has said that the report identified areas in need of improvement for its assessments, planning and performance data.

The council has said that at the time of the inspection it was “already in the process of taking the necessary steps to address these issues.”

A spokesperson added: “We are actively working to achieve the recommendations as stated in the report.

In conjunction with key partners we are reviewing policy, best practice and resources across the borough to ensure that sexual abuse is dealt with effectively and children and young people receive the necessary support and protection required.

“We appreciate there is still much more work to be done and to successfully tackle sexual exploitation we need everyone working together.”

The Chief Executive of a local charity is seeking on-line support this Christmas to ensure that the families and friends of Road Victims receive the best possible support. The Road Victims Trust support hundreds of people each year across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. The Trust offers free emotional and practical support to all those affected by road death

Mark Turner said “ In order to support the charity this Christmas I am asking for the help of everyone. By simply following the link http://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/project/RVT2012 and making a donation the money can be match-funded by our chosen charity champion , CANDIS. Such campaigns have proved very successful in the past and we are hoping that people will show their support by giving generously. Every penny raised goes towards providing support for persons at their lowest possible ebb”

When should I make my donation?

Donations need to be made on the 4th, 5th and 6th December 2014. Online donations are matched on a first come first served basis. Experience tells us that matched funds are used up within the hour so the timing is very important. As such, you should try to make your online donation as close to 10am on these three mornings as possible.

How do I make my online donation?

To have a chance of making a matched donation, you must follow the link http://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/project/RVT2012 simply click on the ‘Donate online now’. You will then receive an email thanking you for your donation.

How much can I donate during the Challenge?

Every donation really does count. The minimum online donation is £5 and the maximum matched donation is £5,000. Donations over this amount will have the first £5,000 doubled (if funds are available) and the surplus will be processed as a normal unmatched donation.

A fire broke out in an old changing room adjoining Challney High School for Boys on the evening of Wednesday 26 November.

The fire was allegedly caused by intruders in the disused building, with the alarm going off at 6.50pm.

Beds Fire and Rescue Service was called, and the incident was brought under control shortly after 7.30pm.

A spokesman for the school said: “The fire caused some damage to the electrical cabling and lighting in the unused rooms but did not reach the property of Challney High School for Boys.”

Major road schemes like those under way in and around Dunstable will boost industry and reduce travel times across many parts of the UK.

That’s the verdict of national commercial property firm Lambert Smith Hampton after new research on the Government’s road improvement programme.

The company says projects such as the A5-M1 Link and Woodside Link in Dunstable will benefit the industrial and logistics market by unlocking hundreds of hectares of development land and encouraging rental growth

Lambert Smith Hampton analysed around 50 infrastructure investment schemes proposed by the government over the past year under the umbrella plan ‘Investing in Britain’s Future’ and other initiatives.

The ‘Roads to Riches?’ report focuses on seven planned and proposed schemes that Lambert Smith Hampton expects will have the most impact on the industrial and logistics sector.

One of the schemes highlighted is the A5-M1 Link and Woodside Link in Dunstable on which work has already started. The A5-M1 Link is a 2.8- mile dual carriageway which will run east from the A5 just north of Dunstable to join the motorway.

The Woodside Link road will provide a more direct route for traffic, especially heavy goods vehicles, from Houghton Regis and the industrial estates in Dunstable to the M1.

Both schemes will join the M1 at the new junction 11a. They are intended to relieve Dunstable and surrounding areas of significant congestion and reduce through traffic using the A5, while unlocking hundreds of acres of development land to meet growth aspirations.

Lloyd Spencer, of Lambert Smith Hampton in Luton, said: “The industrial and logistics market along the M1 corridor is experiencing a period of growth. Not only will these projects relieve key congestion hotspots, removing concerns for potential occupiers, but travel times will be significantly reduced from major employment areas in Houghton Regis, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard and north Luton to the M1.

“We anticipate these new roads will act as a catalyst for rental and capital growth, particularly in some of the less accessible, more congested locations. We predict rents will experience an increase of around 10 per cent following completion of these roads and that as much as 80 hectares of employment development land will be unlocked, helping to address an emerging shortage in supply.”

A Luton vicar who told a 13-year-old girl to sexually abuse her nine-year-old sister has been sacked and given a life ban by the Church of England.

Former St Francis Church vicar James Ogley, 38, told the teenager he wanted her and her sister to have sex with their own mother.

In another online exchange Ogley, a married father of two young children, told the teenager to rape her younger sibling.

The depraved chat logs were discovered by police officers when they visited the Luton vicarage where he lived with his family and seized his laptop from his study.

After his arrest in January 2013 Ogley was immediately suspended from St Francis Church, Carteret Road, Luton, and has now been formally dismissed after receiving a two-year jail sentence last month.

The Diocese of St Albans has also banned Ogley from being a Church of England priest for the rest of his life.

The Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith, said: “Very soon after his sentencing, I was quite clear in my own mind that the appropriate penalty was prohibition from office for life.

“Now that the legal process has come to its conclusion, I am able to make the penalty to be imposed known.

“I feel deep sorrow and shame that one of my priests should have done such terribly wrong things.”

Luton Borough council is supporting a national campaign to reduce the number of long-term empty homes in the area.

They have an empty homes officer who works closely with homeowners and local residents to tackle the issue, in a bid to increase the local housing supply.

The officer is available to advise owners of the support options available to help them bring their properties back into use and generate income through renting or selling.

The council is aware of more than 200 properties in Luton which have been empty for six months or longer.

Councillor Tom Shaw said: “We have a desperate shortage of housing in Luton, particularly for affordable family accommodation, so it is incredibly frustrating that we have more 200 empty properties rotting away and serving no purpose.

“Not only that, they are also a financial burden for owners and attract crime, arson, vandalism, squatting and antisocial behaviour; and reduce the value of surrounding properties.

“Empty Homes Week is an opportunity for us to provide a timely reminder that we can work with owners who may be struggling to sell or let out their property and help them bring their property back to the market for financial return.

“We also want to hear from residents who live next door to, or know of an empty property as this will allow us to make contact with the owner to start the process of getting it back into use.”

Anyone who owns an empty home, or thinks a house is not being lived in, should contact the empty homes officer on 01582 546370.

Horrible bosses are a blight on any working environment – but if the first Horrible Bosses film showed us anything, it’s that killing them isn’t necessarily the best course of action.

At least for average Joes like Nick (Jason Bateman), Dale (Charlie Day) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis).

But the inept and dissatisfied workers are back – and now decide to become their own bosses by launching their own business ‘NicKurDale’ (not a name to say out loud).

But the unlucky trio soon get shafted by big business guru Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz) and with no legal recourse, the three would-be entrepreneurs hatch a misguided plan to kidnap his son (Chris Pine) and ransom him to regain control of their company. What could possibly go wrong?

Naïve and well-meaning, the boys are completely out of their depth (again) and to make matters worse the nymphomaniac dentist Julia (Jennifer Aniston) from the first film is back on their trial and liable to nuke their plans.

Also back is Jamie Foxx as the clueless hitman who goes by a name so expletive-ridden I can’t even quote it here!

Horrible Bosses 2 could well have been a poorly conceived cash-in, but against the odds director Sean Anders manages to deliver a sequel that is just as funny as the original. Sure, a lot of that is down to the likeable cast who riff off each other and who genuinely seem to be loving working together. Be sure to stay for the outtakes in the end credits which are hilarious.

As the kidnap plan unfolds – and unravels – the clueless crims find out that going to prison or losing their company might be the least of their worries. The plot includes a stylish ‘how the ransom money will be dropped off’ showcase run through which is like something out of Oceans 11. Of course the reality is far more humiliating than any of them could imagine.

Not all the gags work but they come so thick and fast that there are enough hits to keep you laughing along.

A teenage boy has appeared in court charged with stabbing a man on a BP garage forecourt.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested on Friday after a man was attacked on the forecourt of a BP petrol station in Barton Road, Luton, at 9pm the previous night.

The boy has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent and appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday where he was remanded into custody to return tomorrow.

A 51-year-old man was also arrested and has been bailed until January 8 pending further enquiries.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment but was later discharged.

Police are still appealing for witnesses who may have been at the BP Garage when this offence took place.

Anyone with any information is asked to call detective constable Ian Williams on 01582 394475.

The investigation is being run by the force’s ‘Operation Boson’ team, which was set up to target those involved in gun crime and violent criminality.

If you have any information relating to gun crime in Luton, you can contact Bedfordshire Police on 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council are preparing for significant changes in adult social care.

The Care Act is due to be implemented nationwide from April 2015 and will bring a much increased focus on preventative approaches to help ensure that people are supported to stay in their own homes for longer.

The changes aim to make care and support services clearer and fairer for everybody and make it easier for people to plan ahead.

A new national minimum eligibility criteria will be set for all councils across England to replace the current system, where each council sets their own criteria for who is or isn’t eligible for adult social care.

Carers who look after someone because of ill health, disability or old age will have the right to ask for support to help them in their caring role.

Other changes will see increased support through information, advice and the introduction of a cap on care costs.

The cap is proposed to be £72,000, and is expected to be introduced from April 2016.

For more information visit www.luton.gov.uk/CareAct.

Councillor Mahmood Hussain said: “The Care Act will bring the biggest reforms to adult social care for a number of decades and we are working hard behind the scenes to ensure everything is in place for when it starts being implemented next year.

“While some of the details are still being finalised and consulted on at a national level, we do know the new focus fits well with the Council’s priority of ensuring people stay healthy for longer to prevent and delay the need for care and support services.

“Our services will not only be expanded for current service users, but also so that all Luton residents have access to care services and receive information and advice to make good decisions about their current or future care needs.

“Whether you are a current social care service user, a carer or you are already thinking about your future care needs – it’s important to plan ahead. I encourage people to get in touch or to look at our website to find out more about what the changes may mean for you and your family.”

Police are looking for witnesses to a break-in in Holford Way, Luton, on Wednesday, November 26.

Four men with scarves covering their faces broke into a property at 5pm, causing damage to the front door, before using a garden ornament to smash their way through a rear patio door.

They stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery, bank cards and US$2000.

They left in a black BMW.

Detective Constable Tracey Joyce said: “We are looking for anyone who was in the vicinity of Holford Way who might have seen the four men, all dressed in black, with black scarves, before or after the burglary, or the black BMW they were using.”

Call 101 if you have any information.