Dunstable News Desk

Reports of online shopping fraud have surged by 30% over the pandemic as many of us continue to shop online in light of current restrictions. Figures from Action Fraud show that criminals conned 17,407 shoppers out of almost £13.5 million over the Christmas period last year, an increase of over 20% when compared to the same period in 2018. Action Fraud is warning the public to take extra care when shopping online, ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as shoppers search for bargains and gifts for loved ones in the run up to Christmas. Top tips to shop online securely this festive season: Where to shop: Making a purchase from an online store you haven’t used before? Carry out some research first, or ask a friend or family member if they’ve used the site and about their experiences before completing the purchase. Your information: Only create an account if necessary or to save you effort if you’re going to use that site a lot in the future. Be cautious if the website asks you for de

The Bedfordshire Hospital Charity’s Helipad Appeal for The Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has received a £7,000 boost from Amazon in Dunstable. The Emergency Department at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital is renowned as one of the best in the UK and treats over 90,000 people each year. Approximately 25% of patients have life-threatening injuries and require immediate and specialist medical care. The aim of the Bedfordshire Hospital Charity is to construct a helipad at the Luton & Dunstable University Hospital site, helping patients in critical need by allowing them to receive care in the local area, rather than being sent further afield. The hospital has been chosen as the location for the new helipad because it is best placed to transfer patients directly from the air ambulance to the Emergency Department, Stroke Unit and Cardiac Centre. The new helipad will significantly enhance the standard of care already offered by the hospital and make Luton & Dun

Cllr James Jamieson, who has led Central Bedfordshire Council since 2011, has announced that he will be standing down from this role in January. In a message to all Members of the Council, Cllr Jamieson explained that he had always intended to make way for a new leader ahead of the next elections at the Unitary Authority in 2023 and that in doing so now, he will be able to devote more time to his role as Chairman of the national Local Government Association. Cllr Jamieson said, “It has been a privilege to be Leader at Central Bedfordshire Council, over the last nearly 10 years. The council has made huge strides in improving services to Adults and Children’s Services and developing our economy.  I look forward to continuing as a councillor to support the new leader, who will build on this strong legacy. “In the context of the national crisis and the significant economic and social pressures which local government is facing as we recover from the pandemic, now is the right time for me

  The Rotary Club of Dunstable Santa Float is operating a bit differently due to Covid-19 & Santa 2020 needs your help! The Club is not collecting door-to-door this year but instead are asking for donations on-line. Father Christmas, on his trusty sleigh, will still be touring all the streets as last year plus more routes. Dunstable Rotary is a Registered Charity in its own right, but every single penny that is received via donation is given to local good causes. Last year they supported 14 Lower Schools in Dunstable, and the villages, plus 25 local Charities and good causes and with your help hope to do the same this year. According to the Rotary Club Facebook Page, all the Lower schools listed helped, and were recipients: Ardley Hill, Beecroft, Eaton Bray, Totternhoe, Edlesborough, Lancot, Lark Rise, St Mary’s, Weatherfield, Hadrian, Watling. Other recipients were: Dunstable Foodbank, Dunstable Citizen’s Advice, Beds FA Special Needs Football, The Haywards Club, Kids in Action

More than 3,000 knives are now safely off the streets after being recovered from outdoor public spaces and a number of weapons bins throughout Bedfordshire. This activity was a result of Operation Sceptre – the national week of action aimed at tackling knife crime and to encourage people to think twice before carrying a knife. Taking place from Monday 9 to Sunday 15 November, we worked with partners to participate in a number of activities, such as weapons sweeps, engaging with retailers and pro-active high visibility patrols in areas most affected by knife crime. Officers from our crime reduction team emptied 10 weapons bins prior to the week of action and found 3,216 blades and 14 firearms . The bins in the north of the county were last emptied in March this year, and the bins in the south were last emptied in October 2019. The bins were emptied again earlier this week and a further 223 blades and two firearms were recovered . Officers from the force’s community teams took part

Six charities in South West Bedfordshire to receive a total of £88,914 from the Coronavirus Support Fund In total, £88,914 has been received by six charities in the constituency, with The Disability Resource Centre the largest beneficiary. The fund, distributed by the National Lottery Community Fund, chiefly supports small- and medium-sized charities. Six small-to-medium sized charities in South West Bedfordshire have been among the beneficiaries of this scheme, receiving a total of £88,914 through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund. The recipient of the largest grant was  The Disability Resource Centre , who received £38,914. The Centre works to empower people of all ages who are affected by disability or health condition through equipment provision, advisory services, and employment and training courses. The following five other charities received £10,000 each: Community Fountain, Community Concern, Helping Hands, Kids In Action and Fig Tree. Receipt of any of this support has