Two self-confessed shoplifters who stole from a Leighton Buzzard shop are appealing for witnesses after claiming they were pursued by a car which crashed into them and “put their lives at risk”.

Gerard Mongan, 27, and John McDonagh, 20, of the Billington/Slapton area, admitted to the LBO, that along with a teenager, they stole four cordless power drills from Aldi, Vimy Road, on November 25 at around 1pm.

Gerard, John, and the teenager were then followed by two males who gave chase in a car, which crashed into Gerard and John as they ran up Old Road.

“Shocked” by what happened and suffering from injuries and flashbacks, Gerard and John are now appealing to LBO readers for witnesses, as they argue that the driver of the car could have killed somebody.

Gerard claimed: “We shouldn’t have taken the stuff, we admit that, but no-one deserves to die and no-one has the right to take the law into their own hands.

“We headed across the car park and on Vimy Road we were walking when we heard someone say ‘hey!’

“A man was chasing us. We started going towards Old Road. I looked round and saw a car pulling up the kerb on Old Road and letting the man onto the footpath. We were running up the hill when I looked behind me and saw the car mount the pavement. It hit John and I!

“We fell onto the footpath down on our hands and knees. As we were down we heard the man shout to the driver in the car: ‘hit them again!’

“I don’t know what it was - shock - adrenaline - but we got up and ran. We didn’t know if we were going to make it!

“The car reversed again and then we ran and never looked back!”

Gerard claims that he, John and the boy ran left onto Old Road (opposite Rosebery Avenue) where they met a passer by who saw they were limping, and took them to Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, to ensure they were in a location far away from the driver of the vehicle.

Gerard told the LBO he has a broken knee, tissue damage down his hips, thigh and legs, a swollen ankle, and lower back pain.

Meanwhile, John told the LBO he had tissue damage and a painful head.

The teenager is said to have witnessed the car crash from less than 50 yards away, while Gerard and John claimed that all four cordless power drills had been dropped while they were running, and that no-one was carrying one when the car hit them.

After telephoning the police from the hospital on Saturday, Gerard and John said they visited Luton Police Station on Sunday to “hand themselves in” and appeal for witnesses who may have seen the crash.

Gerard claimed: “We’re looking for witnesses, somebody who saw something.

“We’re traumatised; I physically see the car hitting me. It was complete, agonising pain. I am appealing for anybody who thinks they can come forward. I think this was attempted murder. There could have been kids on the path or innocent bystanders who were hit!”

The duo described the car as being blue/purple but didn’t get a clear look at the driver’s face.

A Beds Police spokesman, said: “Officers are investigating after two men are believed to have been hit by a car on Old Road, Linslade at around 1pm on November 25. The incident is thought to have happened after a short pursuit occurred after three men are thought to have stolen power tools from Aldi on Vimy Road.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference JD/51865/2017.

Aldi were contacted but did not provide a response before the LBO went to press.

A lorry reportedly overturned during a crash in Wing which occurred in the morning rush hour.

A car and lorry were in collision on the A418 Aylesbury Road just before 9am today (Tuesday).

Firefighters say that nobody was trapped.

Police, fire and ambulance services attended with an ambulance service spokesman saying: “The lorry was reported as being on its side in a ditch but the drivers of both vehicles were reported as having got themselves out of their vehicles.

“One patient was taken to Stoke Mandeville Hospital with minor injuries and the other driver was treated and discharged at the scene.”

A Cedars Upper School student won £100 at the recent YOPEY awards for the work he does raising money for charities.

Michael Desmond, of Willowbank Walk, was a finalist at the Atlas Young People of the Year awards in Cambridge, and won £100 [£50 for Keech Hospice Care and £50 for himself].

Michael was nominated for an award for his fundraising efforts. Last year the teenager raised £800 to split between Make A Wish, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research UK and Scottish Mountain Rescue.

The 15-year-old was a runner up at the awards that recognise the achievements of young people in Bedfordshire.

He said: “I was a bit nervous but very excited about the awards and did not know what to expect.

“I did four different charity events including jumping off cliffs into the sea, a cyclothon, climbing Ben Nevis and swimming Lake Bala in Wales.

“I just like helping other people and I was realistic about my chances of winning but it’s been great.

“I do want to do more. I love cycling so I’d love to do more events to do with that.”

Michael’s mum, Sue, said: “We attended the YOPEY award ceremony.

“Michael was not one of the big winners, but he still won £100 which is to be split between himself and Keech Hospice Care.

“It was a really good night in Cambridge!”

He is now raising funds for his World Challenge Expedition to Peru in 2018, which he will be completing with some of his fellow pupils from Cedars Upper School.

They will be helping with community projects and tackling tough endurance tests.

YOPEY founder Tony Gearing said: “All the young people who take part in Young People of the Year are winners.”

During the evening Tony, who founded YOPEY in 2004 and was awarded the MBE by the Queen this year, said that it could be the final year of the county-based awards.

Bedfordshire Police has donated 50 radios to shop owners in Leighton Buzzard in a bid to help fight against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Working with Leighton Buzzard Shopwatch, the innovative scheme was launched today and will enable shop owners to have a quick and direct link between police and their fellow shop owners.

Sgt Louise Bates said: “My team and I are committed to tackling all types of crime, including crimes such as shoplifting which has a serious impact on businesses.

“We believe this initiative will be an excellent deterrent from shoplifting, it will allow the shop keepers to be able to communicate quickly between each other and the force.”

Chair of Leighton Buzzard Shopwatch, David Prior, welcomed today’s launch of this brand-new initiative between Shopwatch and Bedfordshire Police.

He said: “Shopwatch Radio Link sends a very clear message to anyone stealing from our shops that they will be identified and reported to the police.

“The radio link will enable all shops to talk and alert each other to what is going on, whilst at the same time alerting Central Bedfordshire’s CCTV Hub. Video footage of thieves and trouble makers will then be sent to the Police.

“I would also like to thank Supt Greg Horsford of Bedfordshire Police for agreeing to part-fund this. Without his help and that of Bedfordshire Police’s support for this scheme, it may have taken a lot longer to bring to fruition.”

Supt Greg Horsford added: “Our force presented the Leighton Buzzard Shopwatch with an opportunity to launch this scheme and I am happy that the Shopwatch met the challenge of finding 50 members to join us and work hand in hand on reducing crime in the community.”

Bedfordshire Police is seeking to maintain strong relationships with the residents of the county and with varied Watch Schemes.

Any community member can subscribe to the community messaging system Beds Alert for all the latest crime updates and crime prevention advice.

Police are investigating an assault which left a man injured in Leighton Buzzard on Friday.

Officers were called at 7pm to reports that a man had been injured after being assaulted in Richmond Road.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 356 of 1 December.

Central Beds Council has today voted unanimously to put its £9m plans to shut down the controversial Greenacres travellers’ site on hold for the time being.

CBC has devised a plan to acquire both Greenacres and nearby The Stables in Little Billington – if necessary by compulsory purchase – in order to establish a replacement council-owned and managed gypsy and traveller site.

It follows years of Greenacres hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons with reports of crime, fly-tipping, open sewage and theft of water and electricity supplies. It was notably the centre of a human slavery scandal uncovered in 2011, which saw 24 people rescued.

But with the council’s “radical” plan hanging over them, the travellers have given CBC assurances that their behaviour will improve, and councillors voted to give residents a chance.

The council will now set up a project board to aimed at making the sites compliant with planning and licencing regulations, safe and well maintained, well managed and accessible to the authorities.

The project board will define the standards that will need to be met, and in what timescale, and if this doesn’t work CBC will look to press ahead with its original plan to acquire Greenacres and The Stables and build a new council-owned and managed site.

Cllr Ian Dalgarno spoke to explain the project board option but admitted it was “problematic” and added: “It may not achieve the level required for a long-term solution.”

He said in the meantime a parallel process would get underway where officers would start the initial steps for the compulsory purchase of the site in what he said was a “carrot and stick approach”.

He said the £9m cost was accounted for in the council’s Medium Term Financial Plan.

Ahead of the vote, council leader Cllr James Jamieson told the meeting: “We are sat here with a tight budget. Spending £9m is a very radical approach and one we are only contemplating because we are recognising the issue for local residents, not only for the settled community but also on that site.

“This current situation doesn’t help anybody so we’ve got to have a change and this is a very serious attempt at change. We are conscious that it is potentially very expensive. We want the best solution for everyone on this site and we are not in the mood to compromise on the outcome that we achieve.”

> What’s your view? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk
> More on this story later in the week.

This month sees the much-anticipated release of the latest Star Wars film The Last Jedi starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega.

The film’s official UK release date is Friday, December 15, however you can be the first to see it at Luton Cineworld if you fancy a late night on Wednesday, December 13. Avid Star Wars fans can catch a 2D midnight showing of the latest instalment of the sci-fi franchise.

If popcorn in the early hours isn’t your thing, then the first chance on Thursday, December 14 is at 10.20am (2D) or 11.50am (3D).

Cineworld MK has midnight 2D and 3D showings on Wednesday, December 13, with further 2D screenings in the early hours of December 14 at 12.15am and 3.30am, plus a 4DX screening at 3.30am.

Both cinemas have a Force Awakens/Last Jedi double bill on Wednesday, December 13, with doors opening at 9pm.

The Odeon MK has 2D and 3D screenings at 00:01 for The Last Jedi on Thursday, December 14.

Leighton Buzzard switched on its festive lights on December 1 and many merrymakers in the town have trawled through their attics to dust off their own lights and hang them with care.

Once they’re up, however, there’s always the worry about when to take them down. Tradition will dictate they’re taken down on one date, while different religions will offer different ideas about how long it’s acceptable to leave them up.

So what do you think? Should fluorescent bulbs and glowing reindeers be given a stay of execution until Twelfth Night? Or, should they be stuffed in a box the moment Boxing Day is over?

Vote in the following poll and have your say:

Police say an assault in Leighton Buzzard which left a man with serious head injuries last week was “shocking and unprovoked”.

Beds Police is appealing for witnesses to the attack on Friday (1 December). Officers were called by the ambulance service just after 7pm to Richmond Road, to a man who had a head injury after being assaulted by another man. He was taken to hospital and is still receiving treatment.

Detective Constable Colin Knight, who is investigating, said: “This shocking unprovoked attack happened in a residential street and we believe there were a number of witnesses. We would appeal to those people to come forward with any information that might help find the person who did this.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting reference number 356 of 1 December. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Leighton Fun Runners volunteered to do a bag pack in Morrisons to raise money for Willen Hospice.

The runners helped shoppers pack their bags at the supermarket on Lake Street, raising £475.17 for the hospice in Milton Keynes.

>> Morrisons Leighton Buzzard raised £5,379.74 for the Poppy Appeal last month.

Katharine Smith, community champion for Morrisons Leighton Buzzard, said: “This was achieved with the help from RAF Veteran who has sold poppies in our store for a number of years.

“We would like to thank all our customers for their generosity.”

A Leighton Buzzard woman has been ordered to pay £964 after pleading guilty to illegal use of a ‘blue badge’ that had been issued to her disabled husband.

Anne Oakes, of Doggett Street, who failed to attend Luton Magistrates’ Court on December 5 was sentenced to a fine of £440, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £44 and ordered to pay costs of £480 whilst also receiving a criminal record.

Oakes was caught out during a Central Bedfordshire Council operation tackling Blue Badge fraud on December 9, 2016, where checks were being made to assess whether blue badge disabled parking permits were being used correctly.

Officers spotted a car parked in a disabled bay for Blue Badge holders in the High Street, in Leighton Buzzard. When the officers called the badge holder to check his whereabouts he confirmed that he was at home and not using the blue badge permit. He stated his wife may have been using the permit.

When interviewed under caution, Oakes confirmed the she was driving the vehicle with the blue badge permit and knew she wasn’t supposed to, and apologised for doing so. The defendant also stated that her husband was not aware she had taken the blue badge permit and she did so without asking him.

The council’s Deputy Leader & Executive Member for Corporate Resources, Cllr Richard Wenham, said: “Blue badges are issued to people in our communities that need them most. They allow people who need extra help to park closer to their home or destination and must only be used by another person if the badge holder is present or is being dropped off or collected.

“While some may see the overall cost of £964 as a relatively small price to pay for her offence, the real impact on Anne Oakes is that she now has a criminal conviction to her name.

“The council will be directing further effort to clamp down on this type of offence in the future.”

> If you suspect someone of illegally using a blue badge, report it the council by calling 0300 300 8035 or emailing car.badges@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

A Totternhoe-based plasterboard recycling company has been fined £60,000 after health and safety concerns were identified during a routine inspection of their premises.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard that health and safety standards at Plasterboard Recycling Solutions site at The Old Lime Works, Lower End were generally poor.

During a routine inspection back in September 2015, it was found there were no measures on site to prevent pedestrians from coming into contact with moving vehicles, machinery on site was inadequately guarded and unsupported plasterboard stockpiles were leaning against buildings.

A proactive inspection carried out by two inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Plasterboard Recycling Solutions Ltd had failed to ensure that the buildings on site were safe for workers to use because one of the walls of the process building was bowing and the internal roof trusses were bent and damaged.

It was also found the company failed to adequately control exposure to plasterboard dust which was found to be covering the floors, walls, machinery and ledges of the premises.

Subsequent occupational hygiene surveys carried out after the inspection identified exposures to dust on the premises were up to 20 times the legal limit.

The company pleaded guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Regulations 6(1) and 7(1) of the Control of Substances hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended) and was fined £60,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,327.60.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Emma Page said: “Employers should be aware of their legal duty to protect the health and safety of their employees.

“Duty holders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.

Ho ho ho! The countdown to Christmas is well underway, and we hope the boys and girls of LBO land are on their best behaviour as Father Christmas and his elves tour the town.

The jolly man and his reindeer have got lots of houses to visit, and here’s where Father Christmas will be making his appearances:

December 7 - Knaves Hill area

December 8 - Harrow Road area

December 9 - Planets area

December 10 - Brooklands area

December 11 - Meadow Way and Theedway area

December 13 - Willowbank Walk area

December 15 - Billington Park area

December 16 - Morrisons, Lake Street (daytime)

December 17 - Sandhills area

December 18 - Camberton Road area

December 20 - Plantation Road area

December 21 - Heath and Reach

December 22 and 23 - Bideford Green

December 23 - Tesco, Vimy Road (daytime)

December 24 - Carols in the High Street

Ickwell & Old Warden dramatically ended league leaders Shefford Town & Campton’s unbeaten run on Saturday.

They defeated the top side 2-1 on The Green - a result that narrows Shefford’s lead to a point, and moves Ickwell into sixth spot after a third straight win.

Dan Threadgold and Ashley Drummond scored for Ickwell, Jim Burnside netting for the visitors.

Sitting second in the Premier Division supported by Sportsform are Crawley Green Reserves after a fourth successive away win, this time 3-2 at Stevington. Temitayo Akerele with a brace plus a single goal from Rob Newman did the damage against home replies via Kieran Souter and Louis Grren.

Whilst now up into third spot are Caldecote following their 3-1 victory at Wootton Blue Cross. Jake Wallace, Adam Legate and Oscar Smith were on their scoresheet against a lone reply from Sam Halfpenny.

Thus dropping down tinto fourth are Wilstead who saw their five game unbeaten run come to an end when beaten 5-2 at home by AFC Oakley M&DH. George Cox, Matt Barnes, Alex Liburd, Zach Ives and an Elijah Hukin penalty marked the M&DH scoresheet to bring up the nap hand against home replies via Paul Jones and Shaun Winconek.

Also enjoying life on the road were Flitwick Town, 2-1 winners at Cranfield United, to end the home side’s six game unbeaten run. Dan Stafford and Chris Howells were on the Town scoresheet against a lone United reply via Josh Bamford.

Basement club Renhold United suffered defeat number eight on the bounce when beaten 2-1 at Kempston Rovers Development who were returning to winning ways for the first time in nine outings. Fraelias Mienanbolo and Scotty Dummett netted the Rovers goals against a United reply from Wes Lewis.

Whilst second from bottom Queens Park Crescents were beaten 1-0 at Sharnbrook who, with a goal from Richard Ball in the 10th minute, ended their three game losing run.

Also returning to winning ways following three straight defeats were AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College with a 2-1 home win over Marston Shelton Rovers. Dan Green and Colby Smith netted for the Town against a lone Rovers reply via Wes Burrows.

Division One supported by O’Neills

There is no change at the head of the Division One supported by O’Neills standings where leaders Totternhoe Reserves retained their 100% home record and took their unbeaten ways up to 10 games with a 7-1 victory over bottom of the table Meltis Albion. Jonny Clarke and Braydon Judge both scored twice and were joined on the home scoresheet by single goals from Jack Capehorn, Danny Mills and Spencer Park against a lone Albion reply via Davion Anderson.

Whilst now in second are Wixams who took their unbeaten sequence to five games to stay just goal difference behind the leaders in winning 5-2 at home against a Biggleswade FC Reserves side who are still looking for their first away win. Gareth White led the way with a hat-trick, joined on the scoresheet by Minde Siburkis and Grant Tibbett, against visiting replies via Gianni Battezzati and Karl Samal.

Losing out on that second spot and now in third are Riseley Sports who were held to a 1-1 draw at Lea Sports PSG, Jay Willett netting for the Sportsmen to ensure they retained their unbeaten away ways and Sean Dixon finding the back of the net for PSG.

Also retaining their unbeaten away record were fourth place AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Reserves who won 3-0 at Henlow who are still looking for their first home win. Kurtis Alleyne, Jessie Sidhu and Paul Obuch scored the goals to do the damage.

For fifth place Flitwick Town Reserves it was a 4-2 home victory over Sandy to extend their unbeaten ways to four games. Dan Parker, Chris Bull, Sean O’Donnell and Stuart Hedges all netted for the Town against Sandy replies via a Matt Johnson penalty and Phil Beall.

Whist sixth place Cranfield United Reserves took their unbeaten away ways up to five games in winning 4-0 at second from bottom of the table The 61 FC Luton Reserves. Paul Garratt scored twice alongside single goals from Jack Brown and Jordan Conway.

Elsewhere it was a share of the points for Shefford Town & Campton Reserves and Bedford & Cople SA after they played out a 1-1 draw, Andrew Hayday netting for the Town and Lucas Banton replying for the visitors.

Division Two

Henlow Reserves find themselves five points clear in Division Two after winning 8-1 at bottom of the table Luton Leagrave AFC. James Campbell led the way with four goals and was joined on the leaders’ scoresheet by single strikes from Russell Ayles, Marcin Bator, Keith Milburn and Chris Powell against a lone home reply via Mitchell Allen.

Whilst for second place Renhold United Reserves it was a 3-2 away defeat at CS Rovers. Connor Darocha was the home hero with all three goals against United replies from Joslin Kosongo and Jamie Lovell.

Missing the chance to take over that second spot were third place Bedford Albion who were held to a 0-0 home draw by second from bottom Sundon Park Rovers.

Now just a single point behind the Albion in fourth are Houghton Athletic who, thanks to a lone goal from Max O’Brien, won 1-0 at Caldecote Reserves who themselves stay a point clear of fifth place Wilstead Reserves who won 3-1 at AFC Oakley M&DH Reserves. Lewis Duffield with a brace plus Liam Phillips marked the Wilstead scoresheet against a lone M&DH reply from Brad Duffet.

Elsewhere it was a return to winning ways for Elstow Abbey with a 4-3 home success over Wixams Wanderers. Dean Leydon, James Reynolds, Billy Mills and Will Phillips all found the back of the net for the Abbey against Wanderers replies via a brace from Dani Tahir and a single goal for Khy Cyrus.

Following three consecutive home defeats Westoning made amends with a 3-2 victory over Atletico Europa. Bryn Reynolds, Ryan O’Neill and Lewis Wilson netting their goals against Europa replies via Joel Franklin and Albert Adeyemi.

Division Three

There is no change at the head of Division Three following wins for the top three clubs. For leaders Kempston Athletic it was a 4-0 home victory over Sandy Reserves thanks to goals from Josh St Claire Pierre, Lee Leonard, Craig Damon and Tom Hughes to stay four points clear of second place Harlington who have played one game fewer after they netted win number five on the bounce with a 1-0 home success over Bedford Albion Reserves thanks to a goal from Shaun Gentle-King.

For third place Clifton it was a 4-2 victory at second from bottom of the table White Eagles who are still looking for their first home win of the season. Charlie Watson, Cameron Lewis, Kyle Davis and Jake Brown were on the visitors scoresheet against Eagles replies via Jan Bucur and Dawid Gorzeinik.

Also enjoying life on the road were the A teams of Caldecote and Shefford Town & Campton. Town with goals from Gareth Head and Josh Lummis winning 2-1 at Flitwick Town A for whom Dom Collis replied and Caldecote winning 1-0 at Dinamo Flitwick. Joe Rowley netting the all important goal.

Elsewhere it was a 3-0 home victory for Lidlington United Sports over Black Swan. Chris Roberts, John Webber and Carl Pearson all found the back of the net for United to notch up home win number three on the bounce.

Whilst AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College A were gifted the three points after Stevington Reserves failed to raise a side to meet them at their playing field headquarters.

The Leighton Buzzard Observer and its sister titles in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire will be taking on four local democracy reporters to help cover council and public meetings in the region as part of the BBC’s Local News Partnerships.

Contracts to employ an initial 144 full-time and two part-time reporters have been allocated to 58 news organisations in England, Scotland and Wales following a competitive bidding process.

Those news organisations – ranging from a radio station to online media companies and established regional newspaper groups like Johnston Press, owners of this newspaper – will now receive funding from the BBC to cover employment costs of the reporters. The new local democracy reporters will be based in our newsrooms and will be providing even more scrutiny and coverage of local authorities across this region.

With print and digital titles across the region, we reach hundreds of thousands of people every month. Our titles are part of Johnston Press, which has led the way in developing the ground-breaking national scheme with the BBC under the direction of chief executive Ashley Highfield.

David Holdsworth, Controller of BBC English Regions, said: ‘This is a major advance in the partnership which will significantly improve the reporting on councils and public institutions, leading to greater public accountability for our local politicians.’

Ashley Highfield, CEO of Johnston Press and chairman of the News Media Association (NMA), added: ‘The ground-breaking Local News Partnership will benefit the BBC, local media and, most importantly, local communities.

‘The initiative has moved the whole relationship between the BBC and the local media sector from confrontation to collaboration, and key benefits will include 150 new journalists on the ground holding public institutions to account on behalf of their readers.’

As part of its Charter commitment, the BBC is investing up to £8m annually in the Local News Partnerships during the next nine years to the end of the Charter in 2026.

To be awarded the democracy reporter contracts, the 58 successful news organisations had to pass stringent criteria which included financial stability and a strong track record of relevant journalism in the area they were applying to cover.

Leighton Buzzard’s annual KidsOut Santa Dash has raised more than £1,000 for local disadvantaged children.

The town welcomed over 160 ‘Santa runners’, all dressed in their red coats and bushy beards, for the event on the morning of Saturday, December 2,

Organised by KidsOut and the Leighton Buzzard Fun Runners, the Santa Dash has become an integral part of the Christmas weekend in town.

Keri Donnellan organised a fantastic Jazzercise warm- up before the run, a humorous sight to see of hundreds of Santa’s (and Sant-dogs!) creating a sea of red dancers.

The actual race kicked off just after 11am, where participants could choose between a 2 mile and 3 mile route.

When the runners came through the finishing line (with rosy cheeks to match their outfits!), they were given a finisher’s medal as a memory for the event.

In addition to the Santa Dash, KidsOut hosted a Santa’s Grotto over the weekend.

Children were invited to come and meet Santa personally and receive a present (specially wrapped by the KidsOut elves!).

Donations made at the grotto would allow children in refuge to receive their very own present from Santa at Christmas.

In total, KidsOut raised over £2,300 over the Leighton Buzzard Christmas weekend.

A spokesman said: “This money will be used to help give positive experiences to disadvantaged children in the local area, helping to give them happy memories over the Christmas period like every child deserves.

“KidsOut’s participation over the Christmas weekend will always be close to our hearts and is fundamental to our local fundraising activities.”

The Court of Appeal has dismissed an application by Linslade golfer Gavin Samuels to have his sentence reduced following his conviction for a string of sex offences.

At the hearing yesterday, the country’s top judges ruled 27-year-old Samuels’ offending was too serious to consider any reduction in his sentence.

The former professional golfer, of Melfort Drive, Linslade, was previously convicted of four counts of rape against one victim, and sexual assault offences against two others, occuring over a period of years.

Samuels was jailed for 14 and a half years in April, to be followed with a five-year extension on licence.

A Leighton Buzzard bicycle shop is on a mission to crack down on theft, as it teams up with Bedfordshire Police to help customers keep their possessions safe.

Dorvics Cycles, Bridge Street, are being visited by PCSO Rachel Carne on Saturday, December 9, where she will be adding security marks to customers’ bikes for free.

The aim is to crack down on bike theft in the town, something both Dorvics and Bedfordshire Police are concerned about.

Barry Fitz-Patrick, store manager, said: “The security mark is a unique number fixed to the bike in such a way that it can’t be removed. It is difficult to get at and not clearly noticable by anyone.

“At least two or three people come into the shop each week, asking ‘have you seen my bike?’ or they bring their bikes in because wheels and pedals have been taken.

“The initiative the police are trying to tackle is a big one and they’ve appointed Rachel to champion the cause.”

PCSO Carne will be at the shop from 10am - 2pm and on the day she is at the store, anyone having their bike security marked can receive a 10 per cent discount on security and safety related accessories.

PSCO Carne said: “I would like to invite residents to come by and have a chat about keeping your property secure during holiday season.

“Although security marking your bike won’t prevent it being stolen, it does increase the chances of it being handed back to you if it is recovered after being stolen.

“In some cases security marking can act as a deterrent to thieves, as re-selling stolen goods which have been property marked is more difficult.”

The LBO bets Father Christmas thinks that it’s a good idea, too!

The staff at Dorvics Cycles have also compiled a list of handy tips for LBO readers to help reduce bike thefts in the town.

Points include:

- Make sure you have a good quality security chain/lock

- Ensure you thread the security chain through your bike’s frame and both wheels

- Secure your bike to a fixed structure

- If possible leave your bike in view of a CCTV camera

- Record the serial number of your bike

- Take a photo of your bike

- Do not leave any “eye catching” equipment/gadgets on your bike, such as lights, milometers, water bottles, bike bags etc.

Barry said: “If anyone has had their bike stolen, but do not want to buy a new one at the moment, if they provide us with a description of the bike we are happy to use this to help spot anyone trying to sell on your bike to us.

“We have been surprised at how many people have had their cycle stolen locally, particularly at the rail station.

“We offer 15 per cent off a new bike if victims of this crime produce a crime reference number at the shop.”

Bedfordshire Police has donated 50 radios to shop owners in Leighton Buzzard in a bid to help fight against shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.

Working with Leighton Buzzard Shopwatch, the innovative scheme was launched on Wednesday and will enable shop owners to have a quick and direct link between police and their fellow shop owners.

Sgt Louise Bates said: “My team and I are committed to tackling all types of crime, including crimes such as shoplifting which has a serious impact on businesses.

“We believe this initiative will be an excellent deterrent from shoplifting, it will allow the shop keepers to be able to communicate quickly between each other and the force.”

Chair of Leighton Buzzard Shopwatch, David Prior, welcomed today’s launch of this brand-new initiative between Shopwatch and Bedfordshire Police.

He said: “Shopwatch Radio Link sends a very clear message to anyone stealing from our shops that they will be identified and reported to the police.

“The radio link will enable all shops to talk and alert each other to what is going on, whilst at the same time alerting Central Bedfordshire’s CCTV Hub. Video footage of thieves and trouble makers will then be sent to the Police.

“I would also like to thank Supt Greg Horsford of Bedfordshire Police for agreeing to part-fund this. Without his help and that of Bedfordshire Police’s support for this scheme, it may have taken a lot longer to bring to fruition.”

Supt Greg Horsford added: “Our force presented the Leighton Buzzard Shopwatch with an opportunity to launch this scheme and I am happy that the Shopwatch met the challenge of finding 50 members to join us and work hand in hand on reducing crime in the community.”

Bedfordshire Police is seeking to maintain strong relationships with the residents of the county and with varied Watch Schemes.

Any community member can subscribe to the community messaging system Beds Alert for all the latest crime updates and crime prevention advice.

The RAC has stated that English councils made a record £819 million from their parking operations in the last financial year, as the Leighton Buzzard Observer can reveal the figures for Central Bedfordshire and Luton.

While it was stated that, overall, English council parking profits were up ten percent, Luton Borough Council actually saw a decline in its profits during the financial year 2016-17.

Its parking operations surplus for 2016-17 was £1,137,000 compared to £1,406,000 for the years 2015-16.

For 2014-15 the figure was £1,280,000, while in 2013-14 and 2012-13 the surpluses were £1,320,000 and £1,218,000 respectively.

Central Bedfordshire Council did not reach the one million mark.

In 2016-17, its parking operations surplus was £468,000.

However, this was higher than in previous financial years: £292,000 in 2015-16; £420,000 in 2014-15; £160,000 in 2013-14 and £457,000 in 2012-3.

The findings come from analysis for the RAC Foundation by transport consultant David Leibling of the official returns that councils make annually to the Department for Communities and Local Government.

In 2016-17, the 353 local authorities in England had a total income from on- and off-street parking activities of £1.582 billion – up six per cent year-on-year.

This comprised both parking charges (fees and permits) and penalty income.

At the same time, the councils spent £763 million on running their parking operations – up two per cent year-on-year.

The difference between income and expenditure - £819 million - is the surplus or ‘profit’ available to be spent on transport locally.

Although most councils made a surplus on their parking activities, 46 (13 per cent) reported negative numbers.

Westminster had the largest surplus in England at £73.2 million.