Local Justice Agencies
Bedfordshire Police:
Bedfordshire Police deal with crime at all levels - from low-level offences and anti-social behaviour to international terrorism and gun crime. The police work in close conjunction with other criminal justice agencies to bring criminals to justice as swiftly as possible. They also provide information for victims of crime, to make them aware of progress in their investigations. The Bedfordshire Police Authority is an independent body that oversees local policing, and monitors local police performance.
HM Courts Service
Over 95% of all criminal cases are dealt with in the magistrates' courts. Bedfordshire has two magistrates' courts - one at Luton and one at Bedford. Cases are heard by three magistrates, or by a district judge, who is a full time professional lawyer. The most serious cases are heard at Luton Crown Court. Here a jury will decide the verdict in a case, having been advised by the judge. The crown court also deals with cases sent for sentencing by the magistrates' courts, and appeals against magistrates' courts decisions. HM Courts Service (HMCS) is responsible for the adminstration of both magistrates and crown courts, and has responsibility for the county court, where civil and family cases are heard.
For further information: www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk
Bedford Magistrates' Court, St Paul's Square, Bedford MK40 1WB Tel:01234 319100
Luton Magistrates' Court, Stuart Street, Luton LU1 5BL Tel: 01582 524200
Luton Crown Court, 7 George Street, Luton LU1 2AA Tel: 01582 522000
Paying a fine couldn't be easier at www.beds-mcc.gov.uk
Crown Prosecution Service:
The Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for taking forward the prosecution of cases commenced by the police. CPS legal advisors are now based in police stations in Bedford and Luton, and work alongside police in the early preparation of cases, so that they are brought to court as swiftly as possible. The CPS takes forward the prosecution of cases in the magistrates' courts and arranges cases for prosecution by barristers in the crown court. Locally the CPS main office is situated in Luton.
Crown Prosecutors are qualified solicitors or barristers, and are responsible for reviewing and prosecuting criminal cases following the police investigation, and advising on the appropriate charge. Most of their work is linked to the prosecution of cases in the magistrates' courts, but those qualified as Higher Court Advocates also deal with more serious offences that come before the crown court.
For further information: www.cps.gov.uk
Crown Prosecution Service, Sceptre House, 7-9 Castle Street, Luton LU1 3AJ Tel: 01582 816600
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Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service:Youth offending services are provided separately in Bedfordshire and Luton. Bedfordshire Youth Offending Service is part of Bedfordshire County Council. It aims to deter young people from being involved in crime and anti- social behaviour. As well as working with young people, it is also involved with parents, carers and guardians. Youth offending teams are made up of staff from a number of agencies – social services, probation, police, education and health, all bringing their professional skills to play in helping deter young people from crime. Mid & South Beds: 39 Oakwood Avenue, Dunstable, LU5 4AS |
National Probation Service - Bedfordshire
Each year more than 2,000 people in Bedfordshire will serve community sentences, supervised by the Probation Service. Some will do Community Payback – unpaid work for the community - others will be on special probation programmes to deter them from crime. The Probation Service also supervises offenders who are released on licence from prison. Bedfordshire is one of 42 areas within the National Probation Service which, alongside HM Prison Service, is now part of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS). In all its work, the protection of the public is of paramount importance.
Find out more about probation services from the three sites below.
Victim Support, Bedfordshire:
Victim Support, Bedfordshire offers a range of services to victims of crime. It can provide support, information and advice, and help with criminal injury compensation claims. The service is free and confidential. Most meetings with victims take place in the client’s home, but some victims may prefer an office visit. Victim Support is also responsible for the Witness Service, which helps and supports people called to give evidence in court.
Victim Support Bedfordshire is a registered charity - Charity Registration 298028
For further information:
Bedford Office: Saxon Centre, 230 Bedford Road, Kempston MK42 8PP Tel: 01234 840300
Email: victimsupport@bedsvs.co.uk
Luton Office: 64-66 Stuart Street, Luton LU1 2SW Tel: 01582 723779 Email: lutonvs@btconnect.com
National Supportline: 0845 3030900
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Luton Youth Offending Service:The service works with young people between the ages of 10 and 17 to deter them from crime. It is a multi-agency partnership that brings together staff from various agencies including probation and police. Staff in the Youth Offending Team use their specialist skills to assist young people. The partnership includes the youth service, Victim Support and Connexions. The service also works with parents, carers and guardians. There are programmes of work to deter young people from being involved in crime. This may involve agreeing a contract with the young person, which is reviewed by a youth justice panel or, for more serious offences, being placed on an Intensive Supervision and Surveillance Programme (ISSP) that involves 25 hours of activity including electronic monitoring.For further information: www.luton.gov.uk/youngoffending Luton Youth Offending Team: 16 Rothesay Road, Luton LU1 1QX Tel: 01582 547900 |
HM Prison Service:
HMP Bedford is a local prison serving the magistrates' courts of Bedfordshire, North Hertfordshire, and Luton Crown Court. It houses 494 male prisoners who are serving sentences or on remand. A range of services are provided to assist prisoners to tackle their offending behaviour and lead law-abiding lives on release. These include detoxification programmes to help those dependent on drugs or alcohol. Prisoners are able to obtain advice on housing, employment, and debt management, and there is an extensive education syllabus. As a local prison, HMP Bedford works with local community agencies to help prisoners return to the community to lead normal, purposeful lives.
For further information: www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk
HMP Bedford, St Loyes Street, Bedford MK40 1HG. Tel: 01234 373000