Officers from Trading Standards, HMRC and the fire service raided a string of Luton shops last week and seized 36,520 illegal cigarettes and nearly 1.5 kg of hand-rolling tobacco.

Trading Standards used a sniffer dog and visited 19 stores on February 6 and 7, finding illicit products in five of those premises.

In one shop, several boxes of illegal prescription medicines were found and information has been passed to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a result. Another shop was found selling alcohol without a license to do so.

Private sector housing officers found one house of multiple occupation (HMO) without working fire detection, and will be returning to two further properties to investigate the fire escape from the converted flats. In one case, officer found a fire escape that was blocked, which could potentially trap staff and customers in a shop if there was a fire.

Fire service officers provided advice to several business on fire safety, signage and fire exits, and several of these businesses will be revisited.

Cllr Aslam Khan, portfolio holder for public protection said, “This operation was very successful and is an excellent example of how joint working with partners can make a big difference to business, residents and consumers across the town. The council and its partners work hard to identity and eliminate illegal practices and will continue to do so, to ensure residents are protected.”

Further investigation following the raids will continue.

A large cannabis factory was shut down today by Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable Community Policing Teams.

Officers were at a property in Spratts Lane, Kensworth, after receiving reports of suspicious behaviour yesterday (Monday).

The force posted on Facebook: “The property was seriously damaged by the offenders who destroyed the walls and chimney ducts in order to set up the cannabis factory.

“If you are a private landlord always make sure that you check on your property this might prevent you from having tens of thousands of pounds in repairs.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman, said: “Officers were in Kensworth today (Tuesday) after receiving reports of suspicious behaviour at a property yesterday (Monday).

“Response officers initially attended the property at 11pm on Monday and found a large number of cannabis plants.

“Today police officers attended to dismantle the factory, seize the plants, and also seized a number of weapons.”

Luton Council has paid tribute to former Town Mayor Norris Bullock following his death on the island of St Vincent.

Norris Bullock, who became Mayor in 2007, sadly passed away on Wednesday, February 13.

A spokesman for the council said: “We were deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Norris Bullock, he was a dedicated councillor who worked hard for his Limbury constituents from 1995 until his retirement in 2011.

“Norris was a devoted family man and a loyal Labour party member, who became Mayor in 2007.

“He was very involved with his local community, running a luncheon club with his wife and taking part in many community activities.

“He achieved much during his time in Luton, whilst remaining faithful to his home in St. Vincent in the Caribbean, visiting often. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

A Luton resident with COPD and epilepsy is urging the council to fix his freezing flat.

Phillip Braund, 58, of Farley Hill, moved into the council house in March last year, and claims its problems are affecting his health.

Phillip says that he arrived to find the property flooded - because its water tank had frozen and a pipe had burst - causing him to slip and permanently damage his knee.

He alleges that since the incident happened, his floors have not properly dried out, ruining a £500 carpet he bought, while he has to wrap up warm despite the heating always being on full blast.

Phillip claimed: “There is a problem with this property and the council keep sending workmen, who have looked at the insulation, but nothing is done. I can’t sleep in the bedroom because it is so freezing cold, so I use the front room, but I still sit there in my hat, scarf, and gloves!

“I think the problem might be something to do with the double glazing.

“How many times have I rung the council? I fail to think. I want to shame them - imagine if I was 80 or 90 years old. The doctors have had to increase my antibiotics.”

A Luton Borough Council spokesman, said: “The council does not discuss the detail of individual cases but following an independent technical report of the property we have already made improvements and are continuing to engage with Mr Braund to have further opportunity to complete some additional work.”

Colour and excitement is coming to Wardown Park as Luton Foodbank’s charity fun run returns this spring.

On Saturday, March 30, at 10am friends and families can run, walk or jog the 5km course whilst being covered from head to toe in brightly coloured powder.

Last year, over one hundred participants took part in the ‘Colour Run’ challenge, which aims to help the charity raise funds to provide food parcels for people in the town.

Salma Khan, Luton Foodbank project manager, said: “This event is one of the highlights in our calendar as we always receive great support from the people of Luton.”

The charity helps people through times of crisis, with many of its service users requiring the foodbank’s services once or twice before resolving their issues.

To register for the the ‘Colour Run’, please contact Salma on info@lutonfoodbank.org.uk or 01582 725 838.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NBT) is running a Valentine’s Day campaign to recruit new donors with priority blood types.

NBT is launching its new initiative called ‘What’s Your Type’, as there is a rising need for certain key blood types - O negative, B negative, and A negative.

Residents are invited to let trained NBT staff give them a finger prick test, so as they can find out their blood type.

The test only takes a few minutes and participants will be able to see the results live in front of them.

Emma Martin, Luton donor centre manager, said: “People are always curious to find out their blood type and why it is special. The What’s Your Type event is a fun way to find out - and you might meet your perfect match.

“We need new blood donors in Luton in order to ensure we have the right blood to help patients. We need 136 donors this February at the Luton donation centre.”

Between 2014 and 2018 there was a 16 per cent increase in the proportion of priority blood groups issued from the Colindale stock holding unit, which serves Luton hospitals.

Residents can have a ‘What’s Your Type’ test in The Mall on February 26.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS) have launched a consultation on their plans for dealing with serious risks facing people in the county.

Their Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) assesses the threats facing our communities and sets out our actions and activities over the next four years to meet these challenges.

The draft CRMP is now on the BFRS website and an online survey enables people to give their views on whether the Service is addressing the most serious risks facing local people and whether they are going about it in the best possible ways.

The draft CRMP explains how BFRS intend to deliver their vision of providing outstanding fire and rescue services by further improving:

>how they assess and analyse the risks faced by the communities they serve;

>the effectiveness of their prevention, protection and emergency response services;

>how efficiently BFRS deploys their assets and resources to mitigate community risk;

>how they value, support and invest in their best asset: their staff.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Andrew Hopkinson said: “Our aim with the CRMP is to promote safety in our communities, working closely with businesses, schools and communities to inform and educate people on how to be safe in their homes, places of work and when travelling within our county.

“Our CRMP also builds on the Service’s commitment to promote inclusion and diversity in all we do, having due regard for our statutory obligations.

“We’d like local people to help us understand their perception of the risks facing their communities and how we should deal with them by our response to incidents, our work to prevent them happening and how we can better protect the public from them. To do this we are now consulting on our next plan covering the years 2019 to 2023 and want their views on our plans. Just completing this survey will help us shape how we manage risks to our communities over the next four years.”

Visit the BFRS website for more information.

Shots have been fired from a car in Lewsey Farm, while it also struck two cyclists.

Bedfordshire Police are at the scene in Beadlow Road, after a black Audi struck two cyclists and at least two shots were fired from the vehicle.

An eyewitness said: “Apparently there’s a heavy police presence on Beadlow Road, Lewsey Farm.

“The road is closed near the top end, near Purcell Road.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokeswoman, said: “We were called at around 11.45am today to reports of shots being fired in Beadlow Road, Luton.

“Two males on bikes and two others on foot were in the street when the two on bikes were struck by a black Audi.

“The two males who were on bikes got back on them and rode off towards Tomlinson Avenue. The two on foot fled into a nearby garden.

“As the four males fled the scene, at least two shots have been fired from the vehicle. The car then drove off down Pastures Way towards the A505.

“The two males who fled the scene on foot are described as black and in their late teens. They were wearing hooded tops and tracksuit bottoms.

“Officers are at the scene conducting enquiries and would urge anyone with information about this incident to contact police on 101, quoting reference 132 of today.

“Always call 999 in an emergency.”

Eyewitnesses say a large cordon is in place on Beadlow Road.

A student from Luton Sixth Form College made it to the live shows of BBC1’s The Greatest Dancer.

Tyresse Hare, 17, is a member of street dance crew Prospects Fraternity, who made it through to the live shows of the dance contest

The group’s hopes of getting to the final ended last Saturday (February 9) after being eliminated by the public in a double vote-out.

Despite the disappointment, second-year student Tyresse, who is studying for BTECs in Dance, Media (Journalism) and IT, said it had been fantastic to be a part of the show.

He said: “Overall it was a great experience and I got to meet a lot of famous people.

“It also confirmed what I want to do as a career – I hope to go into TV performance work or travel around and teach classes.”

Tyresse revealed that the odds had been stacked against Bermondsey-based Prospects Fraternity after having to change their routines at the last minute.

He said: “Our journey had started back in around September when we auditioned in Birmingham.

“We made it through to the live shows and had a couple of months to practise.

“But some of the songs we were going to use we were told we couldn’t, so we had to start again at the end of January.

“We managed to finish the first set for the first live show, but we only really had a couple of days to finish our second set.

“Routines take us about one-and-a-half to two months usually.”

The dance crew were mentored by show judge and former Glee star Matthew Morrison.

For more information about Prospectus Fraternity, visit: www.prospects-fraternity.com.

Police investigating a car theft in Markyate have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to.

At around 3.15am on January 28, an offender gained access to a car parked in Manse Court and stole a wallet from inside. The victim’s bank card was subsequently used later that morning in Tring.

Officers would like to speak to the man pictured as he may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him or has information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact Hertfordshire Constabulary online at www.herts.police.uk/Report or call the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference 41/9069/19.

Alternatively, you can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Motorists are facing long delays on the M1 at Luton this evening after a five vehicle crash.

Three lanes of the southbound carriageway are now closed near junction 11 and the northbound is affected with people slowing to look at the incident.

Delays are currently reaching an hour from Toddington services.

The incident involves three cars, a 4x4 and a lorry before J10 A1081 (Luton Airport Spur Road).

Congestion is to J11A (Dunstable/Luton North).

Lanes one, two and four (of four) are closed immediately north of J10, with all traffic restricted to lane three.

One of the cars has hit the central reservation barrier.

A Luton woman is upset with a new fence that is being built to surround a Girl Guides’ centre, claiming it will be an “unnecessary eyesore”.

The Marsh Farm resident, of Ventnor Gardens, lives in a property that backs onto the woods in the Woodcroft Girl Guide Training Centre, and contacted this newspaper after work recently started to construct a steel fence around its perimeter.

There is currently a green chain link fence at the bottom of the resident’s garden, and those of her neighbours, which she says will be replaced by a steel palisade one.

The resident claimed: “There is a steel fence which surrounds the guide hut at the top of Lygetun Drive, and extends along the blind end of the cul de sac, but they are now extending it behind our row of houses.

“It’s very large and our own view of the woods will be cut off. I have lived here for over 40 years and enjoy watching the animals walking through the woods - there are foxes, Muntjac deer, squirrels.”

She added: “It’s a pity they put the fence up to protect the girls. I don’t know what they need protecting from? We never see them this far down.

“There’s a row of houses here and you don’t see anyone coming into our gardens and trying to climb over the fence to break into their site!”

A spokesperson for Girlguiding Bedfordshire said: “Following several years of discussion, including speaking to residents, Woodcroft Activity Centre agreed to extend the palisade fence to run around the entire compound.

“This follows concerns raised about the security of the centre, the safety of its users and that of the local wildlife such as foxes, badgers and deer. It is hoped the fence will combat these worries.”

Shoppers are being encouraged to come out in support of Luton's indoor market in The Mall

Traders claims that the market is facing a worrying decline in footfall. A spokesman for Wellington Market Retailers PLC – which manages the market – admitted that its relationship with landlord The Mall could be better.

The Wellington spokesman said: “We are keen to work closer with The Mall. It has always been difficult to build up a good relationship with them.

“They are very protective of their tenants and they don’t like us giving out promotions and leaflets.”

Fancy dress stall Jax Dress Up Box is one of the traders who has expressed worries about a decline.

The store tweeted: “Why do people not shop in Luton indoor market in The Mall? We’ve been here since 1972, open Monday to Saturday every week.

“I don’t know if we can wait much longer. The footfall is nothing like it was in the past.

“There is no browsing and [the market] just appears to be a corridor between the car park and access to the Mall.”

The Wellington spokesman added: “We are recruiting for a new assistant manager of the indoor market.

“We’re always doing social media promotions and we have events going on throughout the year and we will be ramping up advertising again this summer.

“We had a traders’ meeting last week and one of the options was to advertise on the screen of The Mall.”

Regarding footfall figures, the spokesman added: “It always fluctuates and this is a quiet time of year. We’ve seen footfall increase back to the levels of two years ago. We’re always looking at way to get more people into the market.”

Recent events at the indoor market include a Guinness World Record creme egg eating attempt, a “Pitch for a Pitch” competition - invited local entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas, speciality markets and pop-up stalls, as well as children’s events, music and fashion shows.

Wellington Markets added that it wishes to worker closer with The Mall and Luton Borough Council in order to advertise and possibly renovate the indoor market.

A shop in Luton Market Hall has been closed after a drugs bust on Wednesday.

Bedfordshire Police community officers carried out a warrant at the unit in the Market Hall within The Mall in Luton following intelligence that suggested that it was being used to distribute drugs.

A search found what is believed to be cannabis and synthetic cannabis also known as Spice, in the till area.

Drug paraphernalia and cash were also recovered.

The property was issued with a full three-month closure order following a Luton Magistrates’ hearing yesterday.

Sergeant Simon Betts said: “Spice is an extremely dangerous drug can be deadly to the user.

“Thanks to our successful action, a large quantity of cannabis and Spice have been taken off the streets and won’t make its way into our neighbourhoods.”

One man has been arrested and bailed.

Anyone with information about any suspicious or criminal behaviour can report it online or by calling 101.

Or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Central Bedfordshire Council is asking people to share their experiences of domestic abuse through a short survey.

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and can take many forms.

Feedback from the survey will help the council think about how to improve services.

The current UK Government defines domestic abuse as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.

The survey is anonymous and will take no more than ten minutes.

So, if you’re aged 16 or over, have experienced domestic abuse or know someone that has; or if you’re concerned about your behaviour towards your partner – we want your views.

You have until Friday, 31 May 2019 to complete the survey and can do so at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations

Councillor Steve Dixon, Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said: “We are gathering information to try to ensure that services reflect the needs of those individuals affected by domestic abuse or who might be in an unhealthy relationship.

“Domestic abuse happens to men and women. It happens to individuals of all ages, ethnicities, religions, cultures, abilities and sexual orientation; yet domestic abuse is under-reported across all society so this survey will help us understand how we can support people better.

“So if this survey is relevant to you, please do fill it in. What you say could help us to make changes which will further help victims and survivors of domestic abuse.”

For more information about local support services, visit the Bedfordshire Domestic Abuse Partnership’s website at https://bedsdv.org.uk/

Police are stepping up patrols in Luton after a car collided with two cyclists and shots were fired from the vehicle.

Shortly before 11.45am on Wednesday (February 20) a black Audi collided with two men on bikes in Beadlow Road.

As the two men fled the scene, along with two other men who had been walking along the street, shots were fired at them from someone inside the vehicle.

Fortunately no-one was injured, but police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Wil Taylor, from the force’s Boson team which tackles gun and gang criminality, said: “This is of course a worrying incident for the community and we have a number of resources working on identifying those responsible, as we will not tolerate firearms criminality in our county.

“It happened in broad daylight and we are urging anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information on those who may have been involved, to get in touch.

“We have had a number of high visibility patrols on duty in the area today (February 21), which will continue overnight, and I would encourage anyone with concerns to speak to these officers.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the force’s Boson team on 101 or via the Bedfordshire Police website, quoting Operation Tridam.

You can also give information anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

The family of missing student Joy Morgan, who has links to Luton, have issued a public appeal for information on her whereabouts.

Twenty-one year old Joy, who studies Midwifery at the University of Hertfordshire, is missing from Hatfield and was last seen in Ilford on December 26, 2018.

The following day she made contact with coursemates via Whatsapp. She was reported missing to police on Thursday, February 7.

A 40 year old man from London has been arrested on suspicion of murder and released on bail while enquiries continue.

Joy’s mum Carol said: “We’re broken. All of us are broken inside. She’s only a girl, she’s so loved by us and we miss her so much.

“We need your help and support out there to find Joy. Give the information out for her and let the police do their job to find my baby girl, please.

Appealing directly to Joy, she added: “All we want you to do is come forward, go to the police and talk to a police officer.

“All I want to know, baby, is that you’re alive and well and that’s it.”

Joy has links to Luton. Ilford, Battersea, Cricklewood and Stevenage.

She is described as black, of slim build, around 5ft 5in tall, with black afro-style hair which she often covers with a scarf. Joy also wears glasses.

As part of the investigation, officers are keen to trace information around a highly distinctive Honda that Joy regularly travels in (pictured). The vehicle’s owner has been identified and spoken to but it is believed that the vehicle is linked to Joy’s disappearance.

If you have seen Joy since she was reported missing or have information about where she has been, please call Hertfordshire Constabulary’s non-emergency number 101. If you believe you are with Joy now or have seen her in the last few moments, please call 999 immediately.

You can also report information online at www.herts.police.uk/Report.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. In over 30 years, Crimestoppers charity has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts them.

Beds Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway has kicked back at Leighton-Linslade Town Council after it rejected her request to fund £31,200 for a parish PCSO.

In an angry missive, Mrs Holloway threatened to keep the town council out of the loop of future policing developments.

Mrs Holloway claimed her PCSO funding request (previously reported here) – which was sent to over 100 parish councils – was a “private letter” and accused a town councillor of leaking it to the press.

In fact, the letter was published on the town council’s website as part of its agenda before the full council meeting on January 28.

In its rejection of the PCSO funding request, the town council stated: “Policing numbers in the third largest town in Bedfordshire remain wholly inadequate. The employment of an additional PCSO would do little to tackle the current levels of crime or indeed the fear of crime.

“The town council has no intention to use its ‘substantial’ reserves to subsidise the police service.”

Mrs Holloway responded: “I entirely reject your suggestion that a PCSO makes little or no difference; this highlights the sad fact that some councillors are prepared to make statements publicly, as if factually based, when they have limited understanding of the realities of policing.

“Since town councillors in your area are the most vocal in the county in their criticism of police numbers and police service, I am deeply disappointed they appear to have decided not to seek any public engagement whatever before rejecting this offer to explore the possibility.

“This seems to fly in the fact of their democratic requirement and I would like them to rethink this.

“Lastly, of well over 100 parish and town councils who received my private letter, only a Leighton-Linslade councillor chose to discuss this with the media without further discussion with me.

“This will obviously inform the way in which I correspond with the council in future, and it too may find itself learning of significant policing initiatives, of the type I am planning this Spring, via the pages of the local paper rather than being placed in the trusted position of having its opinion sought by me in advance.”

To read Mrs Holloway’s letter in full, click here.

A Leighton-Linslade Town Council spokesman said its policy and finance committee would decide at its next meeting on Monday whether to respond to Mrs Holloway.

He added: “There is no reason why we should have dealt with her proposal in a closed session.

“Firstly, it was a generic email to all parishes within Bedfordshire and secondly, there was no request that it be considered as privileged.”

Former chair of the town council’s police liaison committee, Cllr Amanda Dodwell said: “The confrontational tone of Kathryn Holloway’s letter is disappointing and somewhat surprising given her position.

“Sadly, the letter comes across as ill-conceived, and serves to reinforce the widely held view that her priorities lie elsewhere.

“She implies that a Leighton Linslade Town Councillor ‘leaked’ a ‘private’ letter to the press. I have seen the letter, and I have commented on it in both the LBO and in interviews with BBC 3CR and Look East. However, it was not ‘leaked’ – it was published as part of a council agenda – and it was not marked as ‘private’ or ‘confidential’.

“If she wishes to keep her communications out of the public domain then perhaps she should classify her letters accordingly. Indeed, she might have been well advised to have marked this most recent letter as ‘confidential’ to stop the residents of Leighton-Linslade seeing her true colours.

“To suggest that she will break off direct contact with the town council, and that we will only learn about new initiatives through the press, is churlish. She clearly does not like any scrutiny or criticism.

“Despite all of this, I believe that local residents and councillors have a very good relationship with the local policing team. We understand the pressures they are under, and we know they give 110% to the local community. It is a pity that the PCC has not made the effort to build a good relationship with the town.

“The residents of Leighton Linslade are our priority, and when we see the town getting such a bad deal from Bedfordshire Police we will hold the PCC to account. She cannot take our support for granted.”

Luton’s poet laureate is celebrating her tenth year as an author by releasing a brand new book with a library launch.

Mary Emeji has penned her eighth poetry collection, The Island, containing exactly 100 pages and inspired by her birthday adventures in the Algarve, Portugal.

She said: “Poetry is my life and it has been thrilling, tenacious ten years!

“An island of self-discovery awaits the searching mind in this book, garnished with picturesque photos from my adventures. Just what we need to overcome stress and distress - an island of existence in the quintessence.”

Former Mayor of Luton, Cllr Tahir Khan, was special guest at the launch of her preceding book ‘My Friend The Sun’, and presented Mary with an award for ‘Outstanding contribution to poetry in Luton’ in 2017.

The following year, Mary received the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire’s Citizenship Award for her “great and valuable services to the Luton community.”

She also composed a special poem for the Countess of Erroll, who said: “Mary is an inspirational poet, her poetry conveys good traditional values and her words flow from the heart.

“I feel privileged to have met the poet laureate of Luton. Mary’s faith and commitment to poetry will give pleasure to many readers in the future.”

2018 was indeed a busy year for Mary, because she was the guest poet for Switzerland poetry festival ‘Seetaler Poesiesommer’ in August.

Meanwhile, at home, Mary is best known for founding Luton Poetry Society, which organises monthly events for local poets and authors.

Poet, Francis McDonnell, said: “Mary is the life and soul of Luton Poetry Society. She charms and enchants us with her appearance, personality and theatrical performances of poems, sometimes accompanied by lovely well-chosen classical music.”

The Island will be launched on March 30 at Luton Central Library at 1pm. To find out more, visit: www.lutonpoetrysociety.com

Vegan activists took to the streets of Luton to encourage shoppers to try an alternative diet and not eat meat or dairy.

The Cube of Truth along with BHB Earthlings and Hertfordshire Chicken Save spent five hours speaking to passers by.

A spokesman said: “Vegans believe that there is no need to use animals for food, clothes, entertainment or experimentation. We are an advanced society and alternatives which are better for our health and the environment are readily available.”