OP OCTANS - this has been set up to deal with the issue of vulnerable victims and dealing with perpetrators of sexual exploitation, in the area of High Town.

If you have any concerns regarding your local area please contact your local officers via
[email protected]

We have been running OP OCTANS where we have increased patrols in the area of High Town, safeguarding vulnerable victims and dealing with perpetrators of sexual exploitation. As part of this, we have held several meetings with LBC and the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team. We have also attended the drop-in sessions at Azalea.

Between 03/05/2022 – 25/05/2022 we have provided safeguarding advice to vulnerable individuals as part of OP OCTANS, arrested 3 persons, conducted 3 stop searches , submitted 13 intelligence reports, given 5 community resolutions and dealt with 1 Traffic related offence including seizure of the vehicle.

OP OCTANS 17/06/222 - Patrols 2100-0700 High Town Road, High View Court, Dudley St, Musson’s Path, Frederick St Passage, North St, Elgar/Berkeley Path, Hitchin Road, Back St, Manchester Square – High Town Area. 4 Intelligence Logs submitted and 4 Females Spoken to.

18/06/22 OP OCTANS patrols 2100-0700 OLD BEDFORD ROAD / HAVELOCK ROAD/MOOR GARDENS/ DUDLEY STREET/ FREDRICK PASSAGE / MUSSONS PATH/ NORTH STREET/ ST MATTHEWS CLOSE / WENLOCK STREET / REGINALD STREET / LARCHES / FREDRICK STREET / HIGH TOWN ROAD / YORK STREET
6 intelligence logs submitted, 9 Females spoken to.

19/06/22 210-0700 patrols OLD BEDFORD ROAD / HAVELOCK ROAD/MOOR GARDENS/ DUDLEY STREET/ FREDRICK PASSAGE / MUSSONS PATH/ NORTH STREET/ ST MATTHEWS CLOSE / WENLOCK STREET / REGINALD STREET / LARCHES / FREDRICK STREET / HIGH TOWN ROAD / YORK STREET/STOPSLEY/HART LANE/POPES MEADOW/WARDOWN PARK,
4 Intelligence reports submitted, 9 females spoken to.

OP OCTANS
22/06/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
6 Intelligence Reports
1 Stop Search
1 person reported
2 x crime reports generated
7 Females engaged with

OP OCTANS
23/06/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
5 Intelligence Reports
1 Community Resolution issued
3 females engaged with

OP OCTANS
24/06/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
8 Intelligence Reports
8 Females engaged with
1 person reported

OP OCTANS
01/07/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
3 Intelligence Reports
2 Stop Searches
1 x Drug Seizure
3 x persons issued with community resolution

OP OCTANS
02/07/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
5 x Intelligence Reports
1 Stop Search
1 person issued with community resolution
3 x persons reported

OP OCTANS
03/07/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
1 x Arrest
2 x Intelligence Reports
1 person issued with community resolution
1 person reported

OP OCTANS
05/07/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
1 x Stop Search
1 car seized
12 females engaged with

OP OCTANS
06/07/2022
Patrols 2100-0700
1 x Arrest
7 Females engaged with

OP OCTANS
15/07/2022
4 persons searches
1 vehicle searched
2 community resolutions issued
1 Intelligence Report
2 Drug Seizures
5 females spoken to

OP OCTANS
21/07/2022
1 Arrest Made
1 new intelligence report
2 community resolutions issued
9 females spoken to
2 suspicious vehicles registrations obtained.

From May to July 2022 funding was authorised which allowed police officers to work overtime to patrol High Town and tackle the issues of the on-street sex trade. During those months, we protected several vulnerable females from sexual exploitation and referred them to services where they could receive extra support. We also cracked down on curb-crawler and enforcement was made in relation to warning letters being issues and community resolutions. We also dealt with road traffic offences and drug offences whilst on the operations.

We are currently looking into getting grants for further funding.

27/09/2022 PC350 & PC5023 conducted 2 hours foot beat around THE PATHS ESTATE this afternoon, talking to residents.
Residents workshop has been organised for 10/11/2022 1800-2000.

09/10/2022 PC350 and PC5023 conducted 45 mins foot beat around THE PATHS ESTATE and WENLOCK STREET, 1 female spoken to all in order, no issues and safeguarding given.
Intel submitted

10/11/22 A residents meeting was held in High Town for OP OCTANS for residents to share their experiences of the on-street sex trade happening in the local area, and to discuss how to find a collaborative approach to reduce the impact on residents and protect the women involved run by DCI DOUNAIS.

23/11/2022 - Octans Night of Action
Roads focused on OLD BEDFORD ROAD (town centre end), CLARENDON ROAD,FREDRICK STREET and PASSAGE, MUSSONS PATH, NORTH STREET, HIGH VIEW COURT, DUDLEY STREET, HAVELOCK ROAD, WENLOCK STREET, ST MATTHEWS CLOSE, PEOPLES PARK, ELGAR PATH, THE PATHS ESTATE,KINGSTON ROAD.
•Females spoken to: 7 (details obtained and safeguarding advice given)
•Perpetrators spoken to: 1 (details obtained)
•Intelligence reports submitted: 12
•Stop searches: 3
•Arrests: 2 (for concerned in the supply of drugs and PWITS CLASS A)

24/11/2022 - 1 Female issued with Criminal Protection Notice Warning.

19/05/2023- Operation Octans was being conducted throughout the evening until 0200hours. This was a variety of marked vehicle, unmarked vehicle patrol, foot patrol throughout HIGH TOWN.

Community Priority for BARNFIELD/BUSHMEAD

MARCH 25 - JUNE 25

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR & SPEEDING has been identified as the community priority for the next quarter, this has been identified from the Have Your Say Survey Results.

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR & SPEEDING will be the focus of the next 3 months.

If you have any concerns regarding your local area, please contact your local officers via:
[email protected]

This Priority has been extended for the next 3 months MARCH - JUNE 2025

24/01/25- Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around BUSHMEAD and BARNFIELD. Working with local council around parking BRADGERS HILL patrols around college.

15/01/25 - Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) carried out throughout day in BUSHMEAD and BARNFIELD.

10/01/25 - Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around parade of shops BUSHMEAD, Bedfordshire Talking Survey completed with local residents.

Community Priority for HIGH TOWN

MARCH 25 - JUNE 25
ON STREET SEX TRADE has been identified as the community priority for the next quarter, this has been identified from the Have Your Say Survey Results.
ON STREET SEX TRADE will be the focus of the next 3 months.

If you have any concerns regarding your local area, please contact your local officers via:
[email protected]

This Priority has been extended for the next 3 months MARCH - JUNE 2025

08/02/2025 -Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around HIGHTOWN

28/01/2025- Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around HIGHTOWN

26/01/2025 -Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around HIGHTOWN

24/01/2025 - Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around HIGHTOWN, 1 arrested.

14/01/2025 -Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around HIGHTOWN, 1 Arrested, 1 vehicle seized (Sec59) 1 Community Protection Notice (CPN) issued.

12/01/2025 -Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around HIGH TOWN.

04/01/2025 - Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) at THE LARCHES, WENSLEYDALE and WARDOWN PARK, 1 Community Protection Notice Warning (CPNW) issued.

Community Priority for BURY PARK/ BISCOT

MARCH 25 - JUNE 25
DRUGS has been identified as the community priority for the next quarter, this has been identified from the Have Your Say Survey Results.
DRUGS will be the focus of the next 3 months.

If you have any concerns regarding your local area, please contact your local officers via:
[email protected]

22/01/25- Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) walk around BURY PARK .

12/01/25-Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) BISCOT ROAD.

10/01/25 - Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) BISCOT ROAD & HIGHBURY ROAD.

05/01/25 -Hi Vis Patrols (HVP) around BISCOT and BURY PARK.

Community Priority for DALLOW/SAINTS

MARCH 25 - JUNE 25

DRUGS has been identified as the community priority for the next quarter, this has been identified from the Have Your Say Survey Results.
DRUGS will be the focus of the next 3 months.

If you have any concerns regarding your local area, please contact your local officers via:
[email protected]

This Priority has been extended for the next 3 months MARCH - JUNE 2025

1 arrested for Possession With Intent To Supply, A full closure and a partial closure of 2 separate addresses have been obtained in the Saints area.