Current timestamp: 11/07/2025 04:31:05
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Beds Police Logo v 1 2023_ SOH Home Page Logo 410x 217 ( 1)

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
    • Pedlar's certificate
  • Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
    • Request an update
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area

Public urged to make the right call as part of International Control Room week

Main article content

News
Published: 17:05 21/10/2024

The work of Bedfordshire Police’s Force Control Room as the first port of call for the public is being celebrated as part of International Control Room Week (21-27 October).

As part of the awareness week, the force is recognising our ‘headset heroes’ including call handers, dispatch agents and video response officers.

Superintendent Graham Bates, head of Public Contact, said: “After investing a lot of time and resource to improve our Force Control Room, it is incredible to know that we are now a top ten performing force in relation to answering 999 within 10 seconds.

“Our current year to date figures show that we are answering 91% of all 999 calls within 10 seconds. That said, the force is still experiencing extremely high demand which can rise further at peak times, such as the upcoming Halloween and festive periods.

“The public can continue to help us by thinking about their best port of call when contacting the police.

“However, we have also this year begun implementing Right Care, Right Person as a scheme which can signpost partners in health or social care who may be best placed to offer support to someone in medical need.

“We also continue to get people misusing the 999 and 101 service, with recent ‘emergency’ calls being made for situations such as someone forgetting their phone password or seeing their neighbour’s cat in their garden.

“I’d urge the public to consider if they really do need police help and, if so, make use of one of the many ways to contact us in a non-emergency, including our web-chat service, online reporting forms for particular instances such as collisions, and of course, 101.

“Of course, in an emergency, you should always call 999 and our specially trained contact operators will be on hand to support you and ensure you receive the appropriate response.”

Contact operator Dan, who has worked in Bedfordshire’s control room since July 2023, said: “We get everything from people calling about parking, all the way through to major incidents, and everything in between. It’s a massive spectrum.

“The most challenging thing is that when anyone contacts the police or any emergency service, they are potentially having the worst day of their life. Unfortunately, we also have to deal with the resourcing that we have available to us, and we are constantly reviewing the circumstances of jobs to ensure that officers are prioritised accordingly.

“I would describe my role in three words as challenging and fast-paced, but hugely rewarding.”

Follow our Facebook and Instagram channels for more content relating to International Control Room Week.

Share

Footer navigation

Bedfordshire Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Accessing information
  • Stats and data
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Police & Crime Commissioner
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Bedfordshire Local Resilience Forum (BLRF)

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.