Police have charged 21 individuals over more than 330 offences as part of an ongoing crackdown on town centre crime in Bedford.

A total of £17,000 in cash, 161 bottles of counterfeit perfume, 170 illegal vape coils and 127 illegal cones were among items seized as part of a clampdown on money-laundering.

Anthony Hall, aged 44, of Meadway, Bedford, was charged with 20 theft from shop offences and sentenced on Tuesday (October 13) to one year behind bars.

A five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) was also granted, prohibiting him from entering Rope Walk, St John’s and Alban retail parks, as well as BP garages on Newnham Avenue and in Elstow.

Pictured above are Anthony Hall, left, and Darren Worton who have been jailed as part of a crackdown on high street crime in Bedford

placeholder image — Pictured above are Anthony Hall, left, and Darren Worton who have been jailed as part of a crackdown on high street crime in Bedford

Darren Worton, aged 35, of no fixed address, was charged with 38 theft from shop offences and sentenced on Thursday (October 8) to a 12-week custodial sentence. He was also made subject to a three-year CBO, banning him from B&M in Riverfield Drive, shops in Church Lane and Queens Drive, and the BP garage on Newnham Avenue.

Tackling high street crime has continued this week, with one man arrested on Wednesday (October 14) for a further five theft from shop offences, as part of dedicated operations targeting criminality linked to Bedford town centre and surrounding retail areas.

Officers were joined by a team from Bedfordshire Trading Standards at Tech Experts in the town centre on Tuesday (October 13). A total of £17,000 in cash, 161 bottles of counterfeit perfume, 170 illegal vape coils and 127 illegal cones were among items seized.

Chief Inspector Andy Smith said: “We recognise the significant impact that retail crime has on businesses, their staff and the wider community, and we are committed to using every tool available to disrupt and deter prolific offenders.

Get in touch if you recognise these men from left (top), Nick Stramaglia – Ref: 40/55644/26, David Riley – Ref: 40/57018/26, Anthony Burgess – Ref: 40/54497/26 and bottom, Lewis Crowcher – Ref: 40/60283/26 and Jack McVicar -Ref: 40/68380/26

"These results demonstrate the value of working together - the support of businesses and store staff has been instrumental in helping us build robust cases and secure positive outcomes through the courts.

"While custodial sentences play an important role in protecting businesses and the public, Criminal Behaviour Orders are also a valuable tool, enabling us to place strict restrictions on offenders to prevent further offending and reduce the harm they cause to our communities.

"We will continue to work proactively alongside retailers, partners and local communities to target those responsible for this type of offending, and we would encourage anyone with information or concerns to report them to us.

“We are asking the public to help us to track down a number of individuals who have been responsible for causing harm to local businesses and are wanted in connection with shoplifting offences.

“Anyone who has information as to the whereabouts of the men pictured should contact us quoting the reference number against their name.”