Bereaved children and their families across Bedfordshire, are to benefit from new funding.

For the first time, Keech Hospice Care based in Luton, has received £84,994 from Children in Need for a new Family Support Worker and the hospice’s Bereavement Pathway service.

A grieving father, Gary Conium said he welcomed the funding after his family had benefited from the service.

“Our eldest son Kieran died when he was 10 years old after a relatively short battle with pneumonia,” Mr Conium said.

“From an early stage the therapists of Keech’s Bereavement Pathway service helped our two younger sons to prepare for what lay ahead.

“The service was immensely helpful for our family as I’m sure it has been for many others.

“It has been invaluable throughout our grieving process.

“Without services like this life would be extremely difficult for many families who have already suffered the cruellest of fates,” he said.

Keech Hospice Care’s Children’s Service Bereavement Pathway service offers support to children, their siblings and other family members including one-to-one meetings with a bereavement care worker, a volunteer befriending service, group sessions, working with peer groups in schools and the creation of memory boxes through art and music therapies.

Clare Burden, Supportive Care Lead at Keech Hospice Care said the extra funding will be vital for many local families who have a child with a life-limiting condition.

“Only 30 percent of our funding comes from the National Health Service and therefore we totally rely on the support of the local community and grants like this to enable us to continue,” said Ms Burden.

“Our Bereavement Pathway service allows us to support many children who can feel isolated by their sibling’s condition and confused and unsure about their own future or mortality.

“Children often find it hard to speak to their parents about death and what is happening and feel their friends don’t understand.

“Our Bereavement Pathway service gives these children the opportunity to talk about their feelings with a trained bereavement worker and the skills to discuss the various stages of their sibling’s condition and death with their family and peer group,” she added.

With the temperatures set to rise into the 30s this week, Beds Fire & Rescue is warning people of the dangers of barbecues.

The service as part of the Fire Kills campaign, is asking everyone to take extra care when cooking al fresco, especially when lighting barbecues or dealing with bad weather.

Andy Martin, BFRS Arson Reduction Officer said: “It’s natural to want to go outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather with family and friends - many of us can’t wait to get the barbecue lit.

“We all know how tempting it can be to give stubborn coals a helping hand, but, please be patient and make sure you use the right tools for the job.

“And if you’ve planned a barbecue and the weather lets you down, don’t take the barbecue indoors or into a tent. In recent years, some people have sadly succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning as a result, so we are urging everyone to stay safe this summer.”

By following the Fire Kills campaign’s top tips you can ensure your barbecue is a safe, enjoyable event.

> Never leave a barbecue unattended.

>Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues.

>Make sure your barbecue is well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.

>Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more.

>Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.

>After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.

> Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and cause a fire.

>Enjoy yourself, but don’t drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.

>Always keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.

>Never use a barbecue indoors.

Andy said: “This may seem a long list but most of these things are common sense. By far the biggest danger is the use of flammable liquids to light the barbecue.

“We have had a couple of occasions where people have poured petrol onto the charcoal in an effort to get it going and the reaction has, not surprisingly, been violent and highly dangerous.

“Prepare well in advance and light the charcoal early.

“Most of all, enjoy yourself safely”.

For more information on fire safety, please visit www.facebook.com/firekills or www.bedsfire.com/CommunitySafety/OutSafety/Pages/default.aspx

Police made three arrests in Luton on Saturday as far-right group Britain First demonstrated through the town.

Around 200 protesters waved flags as they marched through Hightown, before speeches were given by the Bute Street car park.

The event attacted a large number of counter protesters, who gathered at the train station and then later close to the Hat Factory in an attempt to shout down Britain First.

Three men were arrested in connection with both protests.

A 38-year-old man from Luton was arrested on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offence and a 48-year-old man from London was held on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly.

Another man was arrested on suspicion of harassment and being drunk and disorderly.

> The Luton News was on hand to capture all of the action as it occurred on Saturday afternoon

Edward Street in Dunstable is closed following a road traffic collision between a car and a wall.

The road is closed from Regent Street to Albion Street.

The air ambulance is also at the scene.

With long summer evenings and soaring temperatures, it may be tempting to jump into the nearest river or lake to cool off.

But police officers are warning of the potential tragic consequences that such quick dips could have.

Police has issued water safety advice as part of national Drowning Prevention Week.

Chief Inspector Neil Waring, of Bedfordshire Police, said: “There are a number of rivers and areas of open water within the county, that although might look calm and safe, could have hidden dangers.

“Even the strongest of swimmers can get into difficulty as a result of undercurrents and deeper water, a bit of fun splashing around can soon turn into something a lot more tragic - as we have unfortunately seen over the past few summers.

“We’ll be carrying out a number of high-visibility patrols over the summer months in order to discourage people from bathing in unsupervised open water and to educate them on the possible dangers.”

Drowning is the third highest cause of accidental death of children in the UK and around 400 people drown every year.

In August 2013, William Stringer died aged just 15 after he went for a swim in a river in Biggleswade.

A man has died following a road traffic collision in Dunstable this afternoon.

Police were called at 12.04pm to reports that a car had been in a collision with a wall on Edward Street.

An air ambulance was despatched and emergency services attended the incident but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s next of kin have been informed.

A cordon remains in place on Regent Street and Albion Street while investigations are carried out.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact police on 101.

Police are investigating a theft which took place in Dunstable earlier today (Monday).

A man and a woman were walking along Albion Street just before midday when they were approached by two women, who asked them for directions to the train station before proceeding to steal an amount of cash from them.

Detective Sergeant Katherine Rivers said: “We believe that one of the victims of the theft was also the victim of a fatal road traffic collision in Dunstable today, and we are keeping an open mind as to whether the two incidents are connected.

“The two suspects are described as Asian, in their 20s or 30s, and were both described as wearing light-coloured long tops with blue patterns on them.

“We’re urgently appealing for anyone who witnessed either the robbery or the road traffic collision to contact us immediately.”

Police were called to reports of a collision between a vehicle and a wall on Edward Street at 12.04pm today.

Emergency services attended but a man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin have been informed.

Anyone with information about either the robbery or the road traffic collision is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 105 of 29 June. You can also text information to 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police have welcomed a new phone line set up to encourage reporting of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

The National Working Group charity is launching its ‘Say Something’ campaign today and as part of the campaign it has set up a free, 24-hour, anonymous phone and SMS helpline to disclose information and seek support.

Detective Inspector Iain Morgan, who leads the CSE team at Bedfordshire Police, said: “We welcome anything that will help raise awareness of this vitally important issue. Tackling CSE is a high priority for the force and we hope that this new, anonymous, number will help encourage young people in particular to come forward with any information at all that they believe could be useful in the fight against CSE.

“Despite several high profile cases in the media, a lot of people remain unaware of the signs of CSE, so I would urge everyone to learn the signs. If you do see something that you think doesn’t quite seem right, then please do say something.”

The new number, 116 000, will be live from July 1.

If you have any concerns about CSE, you can also contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers, completely anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

To find out more about CSE, visit www.bedfordshire.police.uk/cse.aspx

A Luton car dealer has been fined £3,656 after being found guilty of car clocking.

Jalal Ahmed, 38, was convicted at Luton Magistrates’ Court on June 19 on two counts of ‘engaging in an unfair commercial practice which was a misleading action’, following an investigation by Luton Borough Council Trading Standards officers.

The case followed a complaint about the sale of a clocked car by Auto Loot Ltd of Arundel Road in Luton.

Ahmed, the director of Auto Loot, and a private hire driver in Northampton, was charged with one offence relating to a car clocked by 90,000 miles, and another relating to falsely stating the car had been HPI checked.

Ahmed, of Katherine Court, Ampthill, pleaded not guilty in court, arguing he had set up the company for someone else and had no connection with the sale of the car or running the business.

However, evidence considered by the District Judge revealed Ahmed was responsible for setting up payment facilities for the company, and that the clocked car sold by Auto Loot was, in fact, his own private hire vehicle.

Ahmed was also unable to account for how another person he claimed to be responsible accessed private documents such as his driving licence held on a computer at his home address.

The District Judge convicted Ahmed on both charges saying he found the history of events presented by Ahmed to be ‘incredible’.

He was would directors have significant duties when operating a company and as a director of Auto Loot Ltd, the judge found the offences were attributable to Mr Ahmed’s neglect.

Ahmed was fined a total of £3,656, including £1,900 compensation for the victim, costs and a victim surcharge.

Cllr Jacqui Burnett said: “Cars are an expensive purchase.

“Consumers must be confident that any car they are 
buying is accurately described.

“Thanks to Trading Standards, Mr Ahmed has been brought to justice and must pay his victim nearly two thousand pounds in compensation.”

> If you have a complaint about a car dealer or another matter relating to Trading Standards, call the Citizens’ Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06.

Police and crime commissioner Olly Martins has blasted the ‘untenable’ costs of protests staged in Luton, after Saturday’s Britain First demonstration set the force back £300,000.

Around 200 far-right protesters attended the march, which 500 officers from across 15 different forces policed.

Over the last five years the cost of similar demonstrations has soared to around £3.5 million and although in the past the force has been financially supported by the government Mr Martins now expects the bill to fall “directly upon Bedfordshire taxpayers alone”.

In a letter to Home Secretary Theresa May, Mr Martins writes: “Bedfordshire Police is arguably the worst funded force in the country when taking account of the level of serious acquisitive crime, serious organised crime and the terror threat faced.

“It cannot therefore be right, in this time of austerity and police funding reductions, that a small force such as Bedfordshire and its local taxpayers must bear the burden of these extremist demonstrations.”

Mr Martins added his concerns over the impact protests have made on local traders.

He said: “The Mall shopping centre, Luton’s central retail area, recorded a reduction in footfall of approximately 22% (about 16,000 shoppers down) compared to that typically expected for this time of year.

“Following the last significant right-wing extremist demonstration in November 2014 The Mall reported a 27% reduction in footfall on the day (about 22,000 shoppers down) and a 23.1% reduction in car park entries.

“Their retailers reported lost trade in excess of £0.5million, which they estimate equates to £0.75million across Luton town centre as a whole.”

The Luton and Dunstable Hospital is holding two ‘Listening Events’ to allow patients and relatives to share their experiences of the services provided at the L&D. This is an opportunity to help improve services.

There will be senior staff available from surgery, outpatients, paediatrics, site redevelopment and many more.

There are two sessions (no need to pre book just come along to either): 6th July 6.30-8pm 7th July 3-4.30pm.

The sessions will be in a marquee on the hospital site refreshments will be available and parking will be free for all attendees.

Any queries about the events please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 01582 497990.

Sussex Police have released footage of a Luton man’s ‘aggressive and obstructive’ behaviour after he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

David Nimmo, 27, of Speak Close, was arrested shortly after 3am on June 1 after officers found him sitting in his car in Upper Bognor Road, Bognor, with the keys in the ignition.

The 27-year-old smelled of alcohol so officers took him into custody to test if he had been drinking.

Footage recorded inside the custody suite shows Nimmo goading officers and telling them to “do a real job”.

He refused to answer questions or to allow himself to be breathalysed.

Nimmo later pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he appeared at Worthing Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.

He was given 10 points on his licence, fined £320 and ordered to pay £235 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

The footage has been released as part of Sussex Police’s summer crackdown on drink and drug-driving across the county.

Chief inspector Phil Nicholas, of Sussex and Surrey roads policing unit, said: “The footage of Nimmo shows the aggressive and obstructive behaviour that officers often have to put up with from offenders.

“Nimmo seemed to think that he knew the law better than the officers and appeared to try to provoke a response by goading them but their professionalism meant that they were able to remain calm and in control of the situation.

“If you refuse to give us a sample of breath for analysis you are committing a criminal offence and you should expect to be charged– whether you think you should or not.”

Luton Council of Faiths has condemned the terror attack in Tunisa on Friday in which 38 people were killed.

In a statement the organisation said: “We strongly condemn such actions of mindless violence.

“While such extremist minorities continue to stir up hatred, division and violence, we call upon the vast majority of peace loving people from across different faiths and also those with no particular faith affiliation, to reflect and act together on our mutual obligations for peaceful co-existence.”

The voluntary body, made up of people of different faiths and cultures in the town added: “With much regret and extreme sadness, we express our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families and friends of those killed.

“Words cannot describe the hurt, pain, anger and frustration such awful events cause to us all.”

At the time of going to press 28 Britons had been named among the dead

A minute’s silence will take place on Friday, at 12pm, outside LutonTown Hall.

Slip End Junior School choir performed at a summer community concert at Caddington Church to raise money for homeless charity LAMP.

The Luton charity supports young, vulnerable and disadvantaged people between the ages of 16 and 25 who are homeless.

The concert was organised by Justine Warren and her friends and family, the school choir were joined by other local performers to raise £362 for the charity.

Swim school Puddleducks raised £250 for the charity last week, Ravneet Bermi runs the swim school, she organised pyjama week with her team and baked Puddleduck themed cupcakes and biscuits.

Both events were part of LAMP’s 20 events for 20 year’s celebrations.

Helen Snowden, LAMP fundraising officer, said: “It was fantastic to work with such a dynamic, enthusiastic local business and to connect with so many new people.

“We are really grateful to Rav and her team for all their hard work.”

LAMP are over half way to their target of 20 events, if you have any ideas for fundraising events, contact Helen Lamp at helen@lamp.community

Six Beds Police officers are being investigated over the death of a man in custody at Luton Police Station.

Istiak Yusuf, 25, of Purley Centre, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence just after 8.45am on Saturday June 13, but within hours “fell ill” and died.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has launched an investigation into the adequacy of searches conducted when the father-of-one was arrested and later booked into custody.

Three PCs and two sergeants have been served misconduct notices to inform them that they are being probed over the searches.

A custody detention officer has also been served a gross misconduct notice and is being investigated over a check conducted on Mr Yusuf during his time in custody.

IPCC Associate Commissioner Guido Liguori said: “Since Mr Yusuf’s death we have met with Mr Yusuf’s wife and family several times to update them on the progress of our investigation.”

Beds Police assistant chief constable Mike Colbourne added: “Following such a tragedy it is right that an open and transparent independent investigation takes place to establish the circumstances around this tragic and sudden death.

“We understand that the family and community have questions they want answered and we hope that they will receive the answers they need in a timely manner.”

During an inquest opening held on June 19, it was heard that Mr Yusuf was compliant with the arrest and that on his arrival at Luton Police Station he advised officers that the he had been “out drinking until 2am in the morning”.

It was said that Mr Yusuf was checked on at 11.35am and found “in order” but at 11.55am his condition concerned officers and an alarm was raised.

A post mortem found no suspicious injuries.

A Luton family have said that 12 missing relatives may be been tricked into travelling to Syria.

The party of 12 travelled to Bangladesh via Istanbul on April 10 and then flew back to Turkey on May 11.

They were due to fly back to Heathrow on May 14 but failed to return and were reported missing by a relative in Luton on May 17.

Police, who are working with relatives still in the UK, are now investigating the possibility that the family have travelled to Syria.

The missing members are Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, his wife Minera Khatun, 53, their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and sons Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, and Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31.

Mr Saker’s wife Sheida Khanam, 27, Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, and his wife Roshanara Begum, 24, and three children aged between one and 11 are also missing.

A statement from the family’s relatives in Luton reads: “We are devastated by the disappearance of these 12 and are very concerned for their safety.

“This is completely out of character and we are very worried of the danger they may now be in.

“Muhammed Abdul Mannan is elderly and both he and Minera Khatun have health issues.”

It adds: “This just does not make any sense. We can only think they have been tricked into going there, it is no place for elderly or young people.

“We would urge any of them to please make contact with us or the police to let us know they are ok.”

Anyone with any information about the 12 is urged to call police on 101.

New laws that make schools legally responsible for children at risk of radicalisation could alienate youngsters from their teachers, according to a Luton faith leader.

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act, which came into force yesterday, have set out new responsibilities for ‘frontline workers’ in public bodiesto tackle extremism.

Teachers across the country now have to assess the risk that their pupils face of “being drawn into terrorism”.

Staff will be trained how to identify children at risk and how to “challenge extremist ideas”.

A telephone hotline has also been set up for school staff to directly contact the Department for Education with their concerns.

National Union of Teachers leader Christine Blower has criticised the rules, telling the government that “teachers cannot be turned into spies in the classroom.”

The bill is part of the government’s reviewed ‘Prevent’ strategy, which identifies Luton as one of 25 priority areas across England. Also on the list is High Wycombe.

Abdul Qadeer Baksh, Lution Islamic Centre chairman and Olive Tree Primary School headteacher, told the Herald & Post that the new rules could distance Muslim children from their teachers.

He said: “I’m worried about how this going to be implemented in schools as a child may something innocent that will be treated as if they are being taught extremism at home.

“It will put a huge amount of separation between children practising Islam and their teachers as it will make them feel unwelcome and not part of society.”

Mr Baksh added: “I do not totally disagree with everything that Prevent is doing, there definitely is a problem.

“They are just doing it in a way that causes more harm than good.”

Kelvin Hopkins MP made a guest appearance at The Kidz Curlz Natural Hair Pageant on Saturday, June 27.

The aim of the pageant, held at the Carnival Arts Centre, was to encourage young girls to love and embrace their natural hair and raise awareness for sickle cell disease.

Peace Adetoro, event organiser, said: “The young girls did an amazing job showing off their natural hair.

“The aim of the pageant was achieved and the children enjoyed taking part.

“The children were so professional on the day, they made me so proud.”

The event is for girls aged 4-16 and they did a fashion and talent show for the judges.

The theft of Vauxhall vehicles and parts is on the rise again across the county, Beds Police confirmed today.

The force’s Operation King crackdown previously saw offences come to a halt, but the practice is now picking up again with a number of investigations ongoing.

Det Chief Insp Ian Middleton said: “We have seen a rise in the theft of bumpers, seats and bonnets from Vauxhalls, as well as some incidents in which an entire car has been stolen from driveways and later found stripped of parts.

“Vauxhall vehicles are particularly popular in Bedfordshire due to the long-standing connection of the company with the local area.

“We suspect that the prevalence of the vehicles coupled with the fact that even higher specification models are not routinely fitted with audible alarms makes them a target for these crimes.

“We are working hard to build up an intelligence picture surrounding this type of offending, and want the culprits to know we take the theft of vehicles and parts extremely seriously.

“We want to increase awareness among the public of these crimes and encourage them to report any illegal or suspicious activity, in order to help us catch those responsible and cut off the practice at its roots.”

Enquiries are continuing to tackle the crime series and enforcement activity is to be increased to deter offenders from striking.

Residents are encouraged to take note of security advice including making sure all car doors and windows are locked and any alarm or immobiliser features are enabled.

Car owners can also security mark their items using commercially-available product markers and consider fitting steering wheel locks when leaving their vehicle.

Anyone who needs to repair or replace vehicle parts is strongly encouraged to use only a reputable and approved parts supplier and to ensure that the items they are purchasing are legitimately sourced.

Det Chief Insp Middleton added: “Clearly these offences are only being committed because there is a market for the stolen parts, so Bedfordshire Police needs the support of responsible vehicle owners to put a stop to the market that encourages such crime.”

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, or text 07786 200 011.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A family of 12 from Luton suspected of fleeing to Syria were stopped by police before they left the country, it has emerged.

The party failed to return back to the UK after travelling to Bangladesh in April and were reported missing by a relative in Luton on May 17.

Family members still in the UK have said that the party have travelled to Syria, but Beds Police say that this information is uncorroborated.

It has now emerged that one family member, believed to be 21-year-old Rajia Khanom, was stopped as the family travelled out to Bangladesh from Heathrow Airport.

A search was also carried out at the family home on Spencer Road.

A police spokesperson said: ““There was no information, either through the schedule 7 or search, which suggested that any of the family were intending to travel to Syria, so they were allowed to travel the following day without any police intervention.

“While the suggestion is that the party’s current location is in Syria, this remains uncorroborated and our enquiries are continuing.

“We are not prepared to comment any further due to the fact there is an ongoing investigation.”

The missing members are Muhammed Abdul Mannan, 75, his wife Minera Khatun, 53, their daughter Rajia Khanom, 21, and sons Mohammed Zayd Hussain, 25, Mohammed Toufique Hussain, 19, and Mohammed Abil Kashem Saker, 31.

Mr Saker’s wife Sheida Khanam, 27, Mohammed Saleh Hussain, 26, his wife Roshanara Begum, 24, and three children aged between one and 11 are also missing.

In a statement the family’s relatives in Luton said they believe their relatives were ‘tricked’ into travelling to Syria.

It reads: “We are devastated by the disappearance of these 12 and are very concerned for their safety.

“This is completely out of character and we are very worried of the danger they may now be in.

“Muhammed Abdul Mannan is elderly and both he and Minera Khatun have health issues.”

It adds: “This just does not make any sense. We can only think they have been tricked into going there, it is no place for elderly or young people.

“We would urge any of them to please make contact with us or the police to let us know they are ok.”

Anyone with any information about the 12 is urged to call police on 101.