Policing minister hears about Bedfordshire Police’s work driving down gun crime and gang culture

Members of Boson team showcase reality officers face every day
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Bedfordshire Police’s specialist guns and gangs unit showcased its work to the policing minister as it continues to crack down on violence and exploitation.

Kit Malthouse, minister for crime and policing, visited Bedfordshire Police’s headquarters yesterday (Tuesday) and spent time with the Boson team to see what work they are doing to tackle gun and gang activity.

Bedfordshire has received more than £10million of government funding over the last two years to tackle serious youth violence.

Police out on the beatPolice out on the beat
Police out on the beat

In this time, Boson has carried out 300 search warrants, arrested more than 400 suspects and seized 47 firearms, 23 imitation firearms, 1,252 rounds of viable ammunition, 7.3 kilos of Class A and 11.4 kilos of Class B drugs as well as more than £156,000 in cash.

Boson showed Mr Malthouse a video of the daily reality that officers face, and talked the minister through how the team is managing gangs, combating drugs and county lines and the prevention work it is doing with partners to divert those susceptible to gang exploitation.

Detective Superintendent Duncan Young said: “It was great having the minister visit, as we were able to show him the good work we do in Boson and how we have used government funding in our fight against gun and gang activity and serious youth violence.

“However, we have also been able to show him the levels of demand that exist within Bedfordshire and why we need that continued support to help us continue to drive down and reduce this even further.”

Anyone with any information or concerns about drugs or gang activity can contact police here or through 101.

You can also report information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111