Following a debate about homeless people on the streets of Bedford, the town centre BID has stepped up to clarify issues which have been raised.
The Business Improvement District team has pulled together information about the varied charity and support agencies and the help they offer. This is in addition to official assistance offered by the council and housing agencies.
“We realised that there was no easy access to answers to questions from town centre businesses, their staff and customers, about what was being done to help the homeless. So we have put together a fact sheet which will be made available to all BID zone businesses, and to everyone else.
“Our town centre guides, the Bluecaps, are constantly being asked by shops and visitors what can be done and what help is available to enable people to move their lives off the streets and so we have put together this simple guide.
“At the BID breakfast in February when this issue was aired before the Police and Crime Commissioner and Council, we had invited representatives of two charities the YMCA and Noah to have stands to advise businesses. They joined in the debate.
“In addition our team works closely with the police, council, and CCTV to help safeguard our streets be a welcoming environment for visitors. We do advise absentee landlords when properties appear to have become squats or used by those sleeping rough. This is then a civil matter for them to pursue.
“The message we are getting from businesses is they want to see more policing on the street, which they pay for through taxes. The BID Board is continuing to ask for feedback on town centre policing and how it can be improved.”
BedfordBID Board