Police cop it in a row over parking

Those living in Abbott Crescent, Kempston, next door to Bedfordshire Police Headquarters, say their street has been taken over this week by those attending a sergeant course.

Although most of the cars are not marked police vehicles, the residents say that they have all been parking along the road because there is not room in the HQ car park.

On Tuesday, a marked police car, thought to be from Cambridgeshire Police, was seen parked outside one of the garages in the street.

Keith and Audrey Hutchings, whose house backs on to the HQ, say the police have ‘not been the best of neighbours’ over the years.

They said: “We have phoned up and complained on a number of occasions about various issues such as noise or car alarms going off in the car park late at night.

“This week the road has been taken over by vehicles we believe are used by people attending this course and many residents have had to park elsewhere.

“We even saw a police car parked in front of the row of garages making it difficult for people to get in and out.


He said: “Some disabled people couldn’t put their cars in the garages.

“It’s a nightmare.


“The combination of this, and a large number of officers attending a three day course this week, meant some people had to park off site.

“This is a very rare occurrence and while we can understand that residents do not welcome this, we had no reports of any vehicles parked illegally and only one of a vehicle said to be blocking a garage entrance.”