Bedfordshire Police has made three arrests in connection with a stabbing and a further five people were taken into custody for questioning after the discovery of a cannabis factory, as detectives continue to tackle violence, exploitation and organised crime throughout the county.
Three men were arrested in connection with a stabbing in Wellington Street, Luton on Friday evening (June 11).
Police were called just before 10pm to reports that two men had been stabbed outside a local food store. The suspects made off in a vehicle and the victims were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries.
Three men – one in his 40s and two in their 30s – were arrested in Essex on suspicion of wounding with intent and have since been released on bail as the investigation continues.
In the early hours of Monday morning, police were called to several reports of a break in at an address in Clarendon Road, Luton, where the perpetrators were smashing windows with baseball bats.
On arrival, officers discovered a cannabis factory which was housing a number of plants and equipment in every room.
Four men in their 30s were arrested on suspicion of burglary and one man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis. All have been released on bail.
Detective Chief Inspector Louisa Glynn, said: “As a force, a number of significant steps have been taken towards driving down knife crime, serious violence and drug criminality in the county.
“As a result, we have seen a sustained fall in serious youth violence over the past two years, with recorded incidents falling by 24 per cent in the year to April 2021 compared to the same time period to April 2019.
“The drugs trade accounts for a significant portion of the serious violence we see on our streets, so it is imperative we combat those involved in drug dealing and organised crime more widely if we are to stop the knife crime that blights our communities.
“I would implore everyone reading this to get in touch with us or other agencies like Crimestoppers or the VERU if you think someone you know is carrying a knife, or involved in something like gangs or drug dealing.”
If you want to report any suspicious activity in your area, please report this information via 101 or through bedfordshire.police.uk/report
All of this information is fed into police intelligence systems and helps the force build up a picture of organised crime, even if officers do not act on the information straight away.
Alternatively, you can report any information anonymously via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or through Crimestoppers-uk.org
For more information about all forms of exploitation linked to organised crime please visit the Bedfordshire Against Violence and Exploitation campaign website at bavex.co.uk The Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit supports people affected by gangs, knife crime and county lines. Visit bedsveru.org for more information.
