Police are hunting a man who stalked a woman and child in Luton.

The woman was walking along Dunstable Road with her young child at around 9pm on Sunday, May 3, when she realised she was being followed by a man.

As she tried to speed up and approached the bridge over Telford Way, the man ran up behind her and grabbed the arm of the child.

The woman screamed for help at which point the man ran away in the direction of Luton town centre.

PC Jennifer Peacock said: “This incident has left both the woman and her child understandably shaken and scared.

“The man is described as white, in his twenties, large build, with dark hair. He is described as clean shaven and was wearing a dark grey hooded top with stripes down the arms, blue jeans, and white trainers. He was also carrying a dark coloured rucksack.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Peacock on 101, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Bedfordshire Police organised a fundraising coffee morning to raise money for Luton Foodbank.

Officers from the force’s Criminal Justice Unit and Community Cohesion teams baked cakes at Luton Police station to raise money for the Foodbank’s United Against Food Poverty scheme.

Local policing chief inspector Jackie Holmes, said: “This event was organised by our community cohesion PCSOs, who wanted to get involved with the project so that we can help build important links with schemes like Luton Foodbank, and help reach out to the people it supports.

“The Foodbank is a fantastic resource for less fortunate individuals, and we are pleased to have raised some money at the sane time as learning about the vital work it does.

“Communities are at the heart of all we do as a police force and we are committed to working with them to better understand their needs.”

Luton Foodbank provides food parcels containing enough food for one person for up to three days, following a referral from agencies, including children’s centres and mental health charities.

The parcels are made up of donations from collection points across Luton.

Selma Khan, project co-ordinator at the Foodbank, said: “We were really happy that Bedfordshire Police took part in the coffee morning.

“It raises a lot of awareness about the Foodbank, both within the force and the community.

“We are run by the public, for the public and to have Bedfordshire Police involved is really beneficial for us as partner organisations.”

For more information about Luton Foodbank, visit: www.lutonfoodbank.org.uk

An elderly woman was treated for smoke inhalation after a cooker fire on Saturday, May 9.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service are urging local people to take extra care in their kitchens following the incident.

Firefighters were called shortly before 7pm to Mary Brash Court, Lullington Close, Luton, to extinguish a cooker fire.

They found a cooker had been left unattended and there was a lot of smoke in the property.

Firefighters ventilated the flat and an elderly woman was treated for smoke inhalation by the ambulance service.

The fire service have issued some advice for residents:

Take care when leaving the kitchen whilst cooking,

Take pans off the heat or turn them down to prevent overheating and catching fire,

Turn saucepan handles to prevent accidents,

Take care if you are wearing loose garments,

Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob,

Take care when cooking hot oil.

If a pan of oil catches fire, you should leave it where it is, turn off the heat when it is safe and ring 999. Water should never be thrown on burning oil, it will create a fireball and spread the fire and cause serious injury.

Two women have been jailed after lying in court during an attempted murder case.

Nazeem Dad, 29, and Afjay Fatima, 34, both of Argyll Avenue, Luton, were sentenced at Luton Crown Court for lying when giving evidence to court following the shooting of Atif Ali in May 2013.

Mr Ali was shot in the leg in Leicester Road, Luton, by Bernard Pillay, 42, of Campion Close, Uxbridge, who had been hired to kill the accountant by Shahzad Mahroof, 29, of Selbourne Road, Luton.

The two women had provided corroborating information to police surrounding an incident prior to the shooting, in which Mahroof threatened Ali in their presence.

When giving evidence in court, both women changed their accounts to say Mahroof was not present and there were no threats made.

Dad and Fatima were subsequently arrested and charged with perjury.

They both pleaded guilty to the offence last month.

Today, judge Michael Kay QC stated he was ‘in no doubt’ that the women’s actions were a premeditated attempt to move guilt away from Mahroof.

Nazeem Dad was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment while Afjay Fatima received a nine month prison sentence.

Detective Constable Martin Hart said: “We welcome the custodial sentences for these women. They thought they could get away with lying to the court, with the aim of allowing a dangerous man to walk free.

“Giving evidence when sworn in at court is a fundamental bedrock of the justice system and we cannot tolerate those who try and undermine it.

“I hope these jail terms serve as a stark warning to anyone who thinks they can lie to the court – we will take action.”

Mahroof, Pillay and the man who supplied the shotgun, Matthew McCafferty, 24, of Roman Road, Flitwick, were all convicted of conspiracy to murder last August and are all currently serving custodial sentences.

Retail giant Amazon have announced a new dispatch centre in Dunstable expected to create up to 500 new jobs.

The 310,000 sq ft warehouse located at Prologis Park, Boscombe Drive, will open at around August this year.

UK operations director at Amazon, John Tagawa, said: “Over the last two years, we have added well in excess of 2,000 new employees to our UK workforce and we are delighted to be able to create a further 500 permanent jobs at our new Dunstable centre.

“We look forward to our Dunstable centre playing an integral role in providing a first class shopping experience for customers across the UK, Europe and the world.”

Central Beds Cllr Nigel Young added: “The opening of Amazon’s ninth fulfilment centre in Dunstable further strengthens the area’s reputation as a vibrant location for business, and the logistics sector in particular.

“Amazon’s arrival is an important milestone in the overall regeneration story that is now being delivered in Dunstable and Houghton Regis and they will no doubt benefit from the excellent transport links provided by the Luton Dunstable Busway which will soon be further enhanced by the A5-M1 and Woodside Link roads.”

Roles for the new disdpatch centre will be listed at the Amazon careers website here.

The Mall’s deputy general manager will step up to the general manager position next month.

The owners, Capital and Regional, are pleased to announce that Roy Greening will be stepping up from his current role in June when the current general manager leaves.

Roy has worked at the shopping centre for ten years and has the management and leadership experience to continue to deliver a welcoming shopping experience to customers.

Mr Greening said: “It is a great time to be leading The Mall Luton, with a very busy few months on the horizon; the centre has new openings such as Ed’s Diner, and lots more projects in the pipeline.

“Plus there will be more activities than ever for families visiting this summer, including an unusual but thrilling caving experience.

“We are constantly working to evolve The Mall and ensure our customers enjoy their visits.”

Luton’s very own man with the banner made sure his town got a slice of the action as the world watched the boxing match of the century.

Boxing fan Kazaan Rathor, 35, followed his dream of seeing live the match of Floyd Mayweather Jnr versus Manny Pacquiao on May 2.

Flying out to Las Vegas, Kazaan took a banner proclaiming “One Luton Community” and proudly waved at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as scores of celebrities, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and Floyd Mayweather Snr, passed by.

And tenacious Kazaan even managed to take a cheeky selfie with the man himself, Floyd Mayweather Jnr.

Dad-of-three Kazaan told the Herald: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Every Saturday night I stay up late to watch the boxingand I just thought, ‘how could I not go?’

“I was there at MGM arena and the atmosphere was amazing. I really want to push the message out to follow your dreams.”

And Kazaan was thrilled to garner some positive publicity for Luton.

He said: “I like to do my bit for the community. Luton was definitely there, represented!”

Kazaan faced off tough questioning from the American Embassy on his trip.

In December, he travelled from Kashmir to Pakistan to show solidarity with the victims of the Peshawar massacre.

Once there, he held a similar banner, proclaiming “One Love, One Family, One Luton community” at the site where the tragedy took place.

That banner, like the one in Las Vegas, was left standing at the scene for all to see.

A pimp has been jailed for 30 months for sexually exploiting vulnerable women in Luton.

Pavel Stanciulescu, 49, from Romania, pleaded guilty to running a brothel. He was arrested in November last year after police carried out raids on four properties.

Stanciulescu, Gelu Galion, 34, from Luton and Anka Biclea, 24, from Luton, pleaded guilty to the offences at Luton Crown Court on Friday, May 8. Galion and Biclea, both of Stanley Street, also pleaded guilty to keeping a brothel and were given a four-week curfew, 200 hours’ unpaid work and a suspended 12-month prison sentence.

A bitter six-figure court battle with a neighbouring authority has ended in final defeat for Luton Borough Council, we can reveal.

Despite being told by a High Court judge in December that its opposition to plans for 5,150 homes in Houghton Regis was “wholly unarguable” and “lacking in legal merit” the council decided to make a Court of Appeal challenge, which was dismissed this week.

LBC claims that Central Bedfordshire Council failed in its duty to cooperate under the Localism Act and that the scheme’s 10% affordable housing provision is too low.

The Court of Appeal unanimously rejected the challenge, with a detailed report on its reasons set to be handed down in due course.

The initial High Court battle set Luton taxpayers back £109,992 in legal fees, while Central Beds Council was also forced to foot a bill of £48,666.

Critics slammed the spending as “financial mismanagement”.

It is not yet known how much the appeal has cost both councils.

Speaking today, LBC deputy leader Sian Timoney told the Luton News that the “door is not closed” on negotiations over the Houghton Regis North scheme.

She said: “At the end of the day we thought the cost of an appeal would be less than the value of one house...gaining access to more homes would have been more than worth the challenge.

“We have now got to go back into discussions with Central Beds Council to find the balance with the duty to cooperate and see how much they are prepared to help us with.”

Matters between the two councils were made more complicated in February, when planning inspector Brian Cook told CBC that its cooperation with LBC had “fallen short of the required level”.

CBC continues to fight the accusation and has lodged an application for a judicial review over Mr Cook’s decision to reject the council’s Local Plan.

Cllr Timoney added: “We do have meetings regularly (with CBC).

“The things we can do with the local plan are not exhausted as it has been rejected.”

On the Court of Appeal ruling CBC councillor Nigel Young said: “We received a very favourable decision but we will comment further after we receive the judgement.”

The Houghton Regis North scheme was given outline planning permission by CBC in September.

As well as up to 5,150 homes the urban extension will include a range of retail and employment developments, which are said to create 2,450 new permanent operational jobs and 2,550 temporary construction jobs .

The scheme’s backers have pumped £45m into the A5-M1 link road currenly under construction.

A motorcyclist has been taken to hospital following a collision with a motorist on Crawley Green Road, Luton, this morning.

Police were called to the scene at 7.20am and officers closed the road as they attended the incident on the junction of Devon Road.

The motorcyclist was left with minor injuries and taken to Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

The driver of a Vauxhall Corsa was unharmed.

Crawley Green Road has now been reopened to traffic.

Staff and patients from Keech Hospice Care were faced with a bad case of fly tipping on the lane leading to the Hospice on Monday morning.

The clinical director, Liz Searle, was angered by the sight she saw, half of Great Bramingham Lane was full of rubble and sharp builders waste.

She said: “This is not a one off, it is a sight that unfortunately we see quite regularly.

“It is blocking half of the lane which could prevent an ambulance from reaching the hospice.

“Fly tipping anywhere is not good but it is especially horrible to see it on a lane that leads to a hospice that cares for people with life limiting or terminal illnesses.

“Visitors come here to see family members who we care for and that is the first thing they see, it is not the welcoming message we would like for the hospice.

“I hope the people that are dumping the rubbish realise what they are doing and stop.”

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman said: “We are aware that this area is targeted by fly-tippers and monitor it regularly, as well as having spoken with representatives of Keech Hospice.

“So far we have been unable to identify where the waste has come from or who has dumped it.

“We would encourage people to report any instances of fly-tipping and if we can find any evidence of where it has come from then we will look to prosecute the offenders.”

Luton Airport has been integral to impressive financial results for easyJet, according to the budget airline.

It was revealed yesterday that between October and March easyJet made a pre-tax profit of £7m– a huge improvement on the £53m it lost in the same period the previous year.

Typically airlines lose money in the first half of the year but make profits in the second six months due to sales of summer packages.

However a strong ski season and an earlier Easter holiday period helped easyJet to a £60m year on year profit swing.

The airline’s UK market director Sophie Dekkers told the Herald & Post that Luton Airport has been at the core of the positive results.

She said: “At Luton we’ve grown and added more capacity to our key routes, in the last year we’ve also gone from 15 to 18 aircraft there.

“We’re now at about 4.95m passengers at Luton, that’s gone up by 400,000 which is a significant increase.

“To put it in context next year we will have a delivery of 14 aircraft across our 26 EU bases, nothing is finalised yet but I am hopeful we’ll get a good share at Luton.”

The airport’s expansion offers easyJet further opportunites to expand, though the airline has said it will manage the process carefully.

Ms Dekkers added: “We have got to to be mindful of the rebuild, it is about growing without putting too much pressure on the airport.

“All of the infrastructure going in will provide an opportunity to make the airport one that is world leading.”

Final plans for the airport’s expansion were signed off in July.

The £100m development is forecasted to create 5,000 jobs and will take the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 12m to 18m by 2031.

Level Trust launched its new project, The Uniform Exchange, with Discover Islam on Tuesday, May 12.

The Uniform Exchange allows families to swap uniforms their children have grown out of for uniforms that fit.

Special guest Kelvin Hopkins MP officially opened the project at the Discover Islam centre, Upper George Street.

He said: “I am delighted to be here for this opening, simple ideas are often the best, this could make a real difference to the children in Luton.”

Tesco provided school uniforms, lunch boxes and book bags, BHS donated uniforms, schools donated second hand uniforms and Luton Town Football Club donated kits for children to wear for PE.

Level Trust director, Jane Malcolm, said: “Uniforms can be expensive, this project will help those who need uniforms but are struggling financially, I also want to encourage all families to bring old uniform to the centre to recycle it. We could not have done this on our own, I want to thank everyone who has helped.”

The aim of the exchange is to give Luton a way to reuse and recycle uniform.

Sufian Sadiq, chairman of Discover Islam, said: “Today is a real example of the community and organisations coming together to help those in need.

“This is a brilliant initiative and we are pleased to be part of it, I look forward to other organisations opening their doors to Level Trust financially and giving them a platform in the town.”

The Uniform Exchange will be open throughout the week at the centre.

Ofsted has heaped praise on a Luton primary school which has seen its rating upped from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’.

Inspectors visited Someries Junior School, on Wigmore Lane, in April and in a report published on Monday the school was heavily praised for its efforts.

In particular, senior leaders were singled out for their work in creating a positive environment at the school.

According to the inspection report this has resulted in “rapid improvements in the quality of teaching, pupils’ achievement and their behaviour.”

It added: “The work of the headteacher, ably supported by other school leaders and the governing body, has ensured improvements in all aspects of the school’s work.

“The team creates a culture where everyone is valued and supported and there are high expectations for behaviour and for academic success.”

Someries’ students were also lauded by inspectors.

The report read: “Pupils are unfailingly well mannered, they rush to hold open doors for adults, for instance, and they are polite and welcoming to visitors.

“They show respect to peers and adults alike and this contributes positively to the school’s harmonious atmosphere.”

A beauty therapist from Barton Le Clay was crowned Miss Bedfordshire at the awards ceremony at Luton Rugby Club.

Megan Bayliss, of Longcroft Drive, was overwhelmed with her achievement on Sunday night, having overcome a series of health problems.

When she was eight, she was diagnosed with Myalgic encephalomyelitis chronic fatigue which means every day is a constant battle for her to find the energy to do daily tasks, she was also diagnosed with coeliac disease last summer.

The 20-year-old first entered the competition in 2012 and has been in the top three every year.

She said: “It was incredible, I really had the time of my life, it was a great night and the girls are all lovely.

“I wasn’t in a good place six months ago, I had gone through some very tough experiences and I have just used it to boost myself and pick myself up off the ground and go for it!

“The pageant was a massive thing for me to achieve, it took a lot for me to get through it and I am grateful and so proud of myself.

“No one will ever see is me using my health as an excuse, none of the judges or people at the pageant knew until the very end of the evening after the crowning.

“I strongly believe that you can’t use these things for sympathy votes you, and you will never catch me talking about it in a negative way even though it is.

“I am so grateful and blessed to hold this title and the best part of the night for me was being able to stand on stage for a maximum of ten seconds each time and be able to show and allow the judges to understand who I am deep down, beneath the sparkly dresses and crowns.”

The beauty therapist runs her own business from her home and she hopes to have her own salon with a difference one day.

She said: “I hope that within five years I have my own salon with a non profit organisation on the side of it to be able to teach and mentor teenagers with special needs that are not confident enough to leave school and get their first job.

“I want to give them a safe and happy work experience and qualifications.

“My brother has had autism since a baby and he is now 18 and just continues to inspire me every day with his strength and confidence.”

The other winners on the night were Elaura Maher, 20, of Silsoe, she came 1st runner up and Emily Grace Batchelor, 24, of Leighton Buzzard, came 2nd runner up, Miss Charity and Miss Fitness.

Alisha Di Paolo won Miss Popularity and Beth Jackson, 23, of Wollaston, was crowned social media queen, Stephanie Veronique won Miss Photogenic and Lauren Martin won Miss Congeniality.

The hunt is on to catch two violent muggers who stabbed a woman during an attempted robbery in Luton.

The 25-year-old was in an alleyway between Ashburnham Road and Downs Road at about 9.30pm on Monday, May 11, when she was approached by two men.

They pushed her to the ground and demanded she hand over her property. They made off and the woman realised she had been stabbed in the leg.

The offenders are described as black and were wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable Tracey Litchfield said: “This was a nasty attack and we’re keen to trace those responsible as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who knows who is responsible to call police.”

Anyone with any information should call DC Litchfield on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Police and crime commissioner Olly Martins has ripped into an MP for comments made during an interview, which was given after Monday’s council tax referendum result.

In a letter to Richard Fuller, Tory MP for Bedford, Olly Martins wrote: “Congratulations on your re-election but you were talking utter rubbish on BBC Look East last night (Tuesday).

“I was struck that your public position on the police referendum now seems somewhat clearer than it was before the vote/general election.”

Mr Martins went on to argue that the referendum was a necessary evil, before adding: “Of course if you think scoring political points is more important than presenting a united front to resolve the longstanding underfunding of Bedfordshire Police that is a matter for you.”

During the televised interview on Monday night Mr Fuller blasted the PCC for “very poor judgement”.

He added: “(Olly Martins) is the only PCC across the country who cannot live within a budget increase of 2%, he asked for 16%.

“He was pretty much given a open field to make his case, he failed to do so, lost the referendum and as a result the taxpayers in Bedfordshire are now £600,000 down on the amount of money we have to support our police.”

On Thursday voters across the county were asked if they supported a 15.8% police precept increase, amounting to 48p extra a week for band D homeowners.

The plan was roundly dismissed at the polls, as 207,551 of 301,799 votes cast (68.7%) were against the hike.

With the referendum costing the force £600,000– which includes the cost of refunding taxpayers– calls have been made for Mr Martins to resign.

However the PCC has signalled his intent to remain in place.

He said: “While this is a very disappointing result it would be self indulgent and irresponsible for me to walk away. A by-election would cost over a million pounds to hold and given that the issue is a lack of finances I don’t think that would be a very sensible use of public money.

“(The cost) was £600,000 but it was in an endeavour to fill a £6 million looming financial shortfall.”

Mr Martins said that the decision will result in a recruitment freeze in the next 18 to 24 months and a reduction of up to 135 police officers.

He added: “Bedfordshire Police faces serious urban challenges but is funded as though it is a small rural force.

“As a result it has the worst financial position of any police force in the UK.”

The referendum was orchestrated by Mr Martins to raise an extra £4.5m a year for the force.

Mr Martins planned to use the warchest to pay for a hundred new officers across the county.

The PCC and chief constable Colette Paul now intend to meet with Home Secretary Theresa May to make a case for extra funds

Pupils at Someries Infant School took part in a readathon to raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
The children decided to take part in the challenge after learning about charitable giving in their Religious Education lesson.

The year one group chose to raise money for the children’s charity because it had supported some of their peers.
The group collectively rad just under 600 books over five days at home, with each child reading at least five books written by their favourite authors. They raised £1040 for the charity.
Jennifer Meera, headteacher, said: “I am very proud of our year one children and families who have worked very hard to raise such a large amount of money for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.

“It really shows the caring attitude of everyone here at Someries.”

A police helicopter search was made for a “distressed” man who ran on to the train tracks at Luton station last Thursday.

The incident happened in the afternoon on May 7, as British Transport Police officers on patrol at Luton station were alerted to man behaving erratically shortly before 3pm.

Within a short time, while being seen to by the ambulance service, the man ran off on to the tracks heading north towards Leagrave.

A BTP spokesman said: “A full search of the line was conducted, with support from a National Police Air Service helicopter and colleagues from Network Rail, but the man could not be found.

“Later that evening, officers from Bedfordshire Police located the man away from the railway and he was detained and taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.”

Luton Borough Council is urging all food businesses to check their meat and poultry suppliers following the successful prosecution of a man who ran an illegal meat cutting plant from a shed in the Dallow area.

Malik Nasar Ullah, 31, of Melrose Place, Watford, was found to be buying large quantities of meat, processing it in unapproved premises and selling it on to other businesses in the local area.

On discovery of the illegal operation in 2013 council officers closed the business, and seized illegally processed meat. Magistrates ordered the destruction of the 320kg of chicken preventing it from entering the food chain. The business was not known to the Food Standards Agency or the council.

The premises was found to lack even the most basic food handling facilities such as a supply of running hot and cold water and hand wash facilities.

The walls, table and equipment used for processing the chicken were covered in dried raw chicken and blood. The premises had not been pest proofed and there were dead flies in evidence. A cracked inspection chamber cover in the middle of the floor in the food preparation area led to a foul water drain.

The case was heard at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates’ Court recently where the defendant pleaded guilty to 8 food hygiene offences, with fines, costs and victim surcharges awarded.

Colin Chick, the council’s corporate director of environment and regeneration. said: “We work hard to support local businesses that contribute positively to the local economy. There are many reputable businesses in Luton where meat is processed hygienically under strictly controlled conditions.”

“But any meat business operating outside the law jeopardises consumers’ health as well as the financial wellbeing of our law abiding businesses.

“Poor meat operators only exist because a few unscrupulous and money-greedy food businesses are willing to disregard their moral and legal duties to their customers.

“All food business operators are legally responsible for ensuring they know where their food is coming from and their suppliers are reputable, and may be asked by council officers to provide traceability of food at their premises at any time.”

To report any suspicious illegal meat activity visit www.luton.gov.uk/food email environmentalhealth@luton.gov.uk or call the Council’s food and safety team on 01582 510330.