Theft and anti-social behaviour problems at Leighton Buzzard's Household Waste Recycling Centre

Police are stepping up patrols around Leighton Buzzard’s Household Waste Recycling Centre following recent reports of theft and anti-social behaviour.

Problems at the Shenley Hill Road site date back to September 2018 and also include criminal damage, burglary and assault.

It has led Beds Police to assign a dedicated officer who is working with the site and operators Central Bedfordshire Council on the ongoing issues.

PC Elaine Downes, investigating, said: “Since September 2018, we have received a number of reports of incidents at the Leighton Buzzard Household Waste Recycling Centre, including anti-social behaviour, theft, criminal damage, burglary, and even common assault.

“We recently conducted a site survey, and are stepping up targeted patrols of the area. We are also working closely with our partners at Central Bedfordshire Council to tackle these problems.

“Staff at this facility have the right to work without being abused, and we will not tolerate this behaviour.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the online reporting centre at https://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report, quoting reference 40/13316/21. If a crime is in progress, call 999.

Central Beds Council told the LBO it couldn’t comment on the situation due to it being the pre-election period for the Beds Police & Crime Commissioner May ballot.

But its Community Safety Partnership account confirmed on March 30: “Safer Communities Involvement Officer attended the Leighton Buzzard Household Waste Recycling Centre following reports of theft and anti-social behaviour.”