Beds Rural Crime Action Team - RCAT

Beds Rural Crime Action Team - RCAT Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Beds Rural Crime Action Team - RCAT, Public & Government Service, Woburn Road, Bedford.

02/06/2026

🚨 Fire at Barton Hills National Nature Reserve 🚨

On Friday 29th May 2026, multiple fire engines attended a significant fire at Barton Hills National Nature Reserve. Crews worked through the night, bringing the fire under control in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The blaze caused extensive damage to this protected SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), an area vital for wildlife conservation.

🚫 Public footpaths are now closed while Natural England carry out essential safety work in the woodland.

Following initial enquiries, the fire is suspected to have been caused by a disposable BBQ discarded into undergrowth after use.

We are following a number of lines of enquiry. If you have any information please contact Bedfordshire Police on 101 quoting reference: BP-30052026-0303.
________________________________________

Help prevent wildfires this summer:

❌ No campfires, BBQs, or open fires in unauthorised areas
❌ No throwing cigarette ends from vehicles
❌ No littering (especially glass bottles)

📞 If you see an outdoor fire, move to a safe place and call 999 immediately.

Don’t let a spark ruin the summer – help protect our countryside.

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to securi...
30/05/2026

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to security or report online in confidence at https://orlo.uk/VWqJr

In an emergency call 999.

Remember, action counters terrorism.

13/05/2026

We may only be a small team… but between 1 Sergeant and 8 PC’s, we bring over 130 years of policing experience to Bedfordshire’s rural communities 👏

Our team comes with a wide range of skills, experience and personalities, including:

⬅️ 4 left-handed officers
⚽ 2 Spurs fans (we try not to hold that against them…)
🏋️ A CrossFit enthusiast
🏃 A runner
🧗 A climber
⚓ Ex-Navy
🎖️ Ex-Army
🐴 A horse masseuse
✈️ A light aircraft pilot
🔨 DIY enthusiast
🌻 Garden lover
📚 History lover

From tackling hare coursing and rural thefts to engaging with our farming communities, the team works hard every day to help keep Bedfordshire’s countryside safe.

We might not always agree on football teams… but we do agree on protecting our rural communities 🚔🌳

🚜 Beds Young Farmers Rally 2026 🚜The Rural Crime Action Team will be at the Beds Young Farmers Rally this Saturday, 16th...
12/05/2026

🚜 Beds Young Farmers Rally 2026 🚜

The Rural Crime Action Team will be at the Beds Young Farmers Rally this Saturday, 16th May 2026!

📍 Manor Farm, Church Lane, Stagsden, MK43 8SH
⏰ From 10am onwards

If you’re coming along to enjoy the day, make sure to pop over and say hello to our RCAT officers.
They’ll be there all day to chat about rural crime, explain what we do, and how we tackle it across our communities.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Great teamwork shown last night following a fail to stop that started in Essex, where the suspect vehicle reached speeds...
08/05/2026

Great teamwork shown last night following a fail to stop that started in Essex, where the suspect vehicle reached speeds of over 125mph along the M25/M1, including travelling on the hard shoulder.
At one point, Police cars from three separate forces were involved in the pursuit as it travelled through Essex, Hertfordshire and into Bedfordshire.
RCAT officers had only just returned to base to catch up with paperwork when the radio suddenly came alive with " CRASH, CRASH, CRASH ". ​🚔​

Using excellent local knowledge and proactive policing, PC Millen, PC Saunders-Fern and PC Owens quickly deployed alongside Essex officers and successfully located (with the help of the police helicopter) the male hiding in the garden of a nearby house following a decamp. ​🏃‍♂️​
He was arrested for Disqualified driving, Dangerous driving and Drug driving.

A great example of effective cross-border working, communication and teamwork from everyone involved. ​🚔​​🚔​​🚔​​👮‍♂️

We are warning businesses and rural properties about a number of incidents involving blackmail.A number of businesses an...
07/05/2026

We are warning businesses and rural properties about a number of incidents involving blackmail.

A number of businesses and rural properties, including farms, have been victims of blackmail and extortion by individuals falsely claiming to be Highways staff or similar.

The suspects are believed to arrive and leave gravel, stones or road surfacing material on driveways or nearby, stating they are carrying out roadworks and offering leftover materials.

Shortly afterwards, the imposters demand large sums of money as payment and harass victims if payment is not received – this is blackmail and extortion.

We are taking these incidents seriously, and several lines of enquiry are being carried out.

If you receive a suspicious visit or call from someone you believe is not genuine, do not make any payment and end contact immediately.

If the suspects are on your premises and you feel you are in immediate danger, please call 999.

For anything else, capture all evidence such as CCTV, vehicle makes, models, registration numbers and descriptions of offenders and submit a report to Police via 101, webchat, or online, quoting Operation Nimbostratus: https://orlo.uk/J4kFt

You can also find crime prevention advice on our website: https://orlo.uk/Yu2Tb

** Come and Meet the Rural Crime Action Team! **We’re at Old Warden Village Hall today until 12:00.No need to book – jus...
06/05/2026

** Come and Meet the Rural Crime Action Team! **
We’re at Old Warden Village Hall today until 12:00.
No need to book – just drop in, say hello, and chat with the team about any rural crime concerns you may have.

**Livestock Worry incident - Astral Park, Leighton Buzzard**On 20/04/2026, an incident occurred at Astral Park where sev...
01/05/2026

**Livestock Worry incident - Astral Park, Leighton Buzzard**

On 20/04/2026, an incident occurred at Astral Park where several sheep were chased into the water by an off‑lead dog. Thankfully, no sheep were harmed, however situations like this can easily result in serious injury or death to livestock. It should also be noted that such stress can cause pregnant sheep to lose their lambs.
There are many sheep in this area, and dog owners are reminded that dogs must be kept under control around livestock. Allowing dogs to worry livestock is an offence and can result in dogs being seized or restrictions placed on ownership.

Please ensure that your dog is kept on a lead when near livestock and under control and all times.

If you have any information about this incident, or wish to report livestock worrying, please call 101 or use the online reporting form on the Bedfordshire Police website.

30/04/2026

**We're pleased to share an update with our Rural Community**

Inspector Janine Graham has now taken over as the Rural Crime Action Team ( RCAT) Inspector, alongside her current role leading Community Policing in Central Bedfordshire. With over 24 years of Policing across the County, Inspector Graham brings a wealth of knowledge from a variety of roles.
We look forward to her leadership as we continue working with our Rural Communities to tackle crime, protect livelihoods, and keep our Countryside safe.

Come and join us at Old Warden Village Hall for our Rural Crime Surgery. Wednesday 6th May 2026 between 0900 - 1200 hour...
30/04/2026

Come and join us at Old Warden Village Hall for our Rural Crime Surgery.
Wednesday 6th May 2026 between 0900 - 1200 hours.
No need to book, just pop in to meet the team and discuss any rural crime concerns to may have.

Address

Woburn Road
Bedford
MK439AX

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