PROJECTS > Mr Bobby  
Mr Bobby Scheme  
The aim of the Partnership is to support a whole range of community initiatives dealing with such issues as crime prevention and fear of crime.
With this in mind, in 1999 the Partnership successfully applied for a grant from the National Lottery to start the Bobby Scheme, the aims of which were to help elderly or vulnerable victims of crime by giving advice, support and help.

Providing home security for elderly victims of crime ...

  
The Bobby Men The scheme went into operation in September 1999, originally with one Bobbyman Roger Tuck, attending the homes of elderly victims of crime to improve their security, offer reassurance and prevent them becoming victims again.

Since then we now have 5 Bobbymen, all qualified carpenters and not only attend victims, but elderly or vulnerable people to improve their security and prevent them becoming victims in the first place. Our team have attended over 14,000 homes in Bedfordshire and have made a major impact in preventing crime.
Thank you for setting up this wonderful scheme, Mr Bobby's visit has really given me confidence
Mrs. R - Kempston
How does the Bobby Scheme work?
The Bobby Team carry out a survey of the house and identify any vulnerable areas and where appropriate, improve the security with locks, door chains and viewers etc. We are also in partnership with Bedfordshire & Luton Fire & Rescue Service fitting smoke detectors. The service is generally free, but as the Bedfordshire Police Partnership Trust is a charity, donations of whatever amount are always welcome.
Our service is for those people over the age of 65, or vulnerable or disabled. If you would like a visit from our Bobby Team to look at your security and reassure you, or would like more information about the Bobby Scheme please contact us using the details at the bottom of this page.
Having been burgled, I was getting scared to go out but the work carried out by the Bobby Scheme has made me feel safe
Mr. W - Luton
There is no charge at all for this service
Mr Bobby - Roger Tuck The Bobby men are dressed in uniforms similar to the local police in order to offer reassurance to victims. They also carry ID cards with them at all times.
The scheme gives peace of mind for older people knowing that help is at hand. Mr Bobby provides immeasurable reassurance by making their homes secure against the possibility of further break-ins.
... absolutely delighted, not only with the fittings and advice, but also with the efficiency and kindness of the Bobby man
Mr. B - Houghton Regis
The whole scheme is a remarkable initiative ... it gave my mother back the feeling of security in her own home
Mr. H - Bedford
  • The Bobby Scheme provides a free service to elderly or vulnerable victims of burglary and crime who are on low incomes.
  • No charges are made for the work carried out under the Bobby Scheme.
How is the Bobby Scheme funded?
I am delighted that the Partnership has been able to launch the Bobby scheme and I am certain it offers a tremendous additional service for vulnerable people in this county
Paul Hancock - Former Chief Constable
& Chairman of the Bedfordshire
Police Partnership Trust.
The Bedfordshire Police Partnership Trust is a registered charity supported by businesses in the county joining as partners for an annual fee of £250. The Bobby Scheme was launched with the help of a grant from the National Lottery. However, it is hoped that funds will be raised through further corporate and individual donations from members of the public to maintain this scheme as a long term benefit for the people of Bedfordshire.
The Scheme costs approximately £50,000 per year to run.
 
Click on the link below to download a Bobbyman leaflet which outlines the Bobby Scheme and how you can contact us to refer someone who you think would benefit from a visit from one of our Bobbymen. The leaflets are supplied as Adobe Acrobat PDF files. If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader then please click on the 'Get Acrobat Reader' link below to obtain a copy before trying to download your chosen leaflet.

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 Download the Bobbyman Leaflet
 
If you would like to make a donation to the Partnership please contact Brian Prickett on the number below.
 

If you know a vulnerable person in Bedfordshire who would benefit from the services of the Bobby man, please contact:

Janet Heinsen on 01234 842619
Brian Prickett on 01234 842612
 
***** RELATED NEWS STORIES & UPDATES *****
October 2005
~ BOBBY SCHEME UNDER THREAT ~
The Partnership’s four Bobbymen who carry out on average 1800 referrals to elderly or vulnerable people each year may be under threat. The Partnership relies on funding from a variety of sources and the Trust Administrator has been notified that a major source from government will cease in March 2006. The consequences of this would be a reduction in the number of Bobbymen the Partnership could support which at a time when there is more demand than ever for the Bobbymen to carry out visits would clearly have an impact on elderly or vulnerable victims of crime.
This news has just been received and the Partnership will be making every effort to secure funding to maintain this valuable service.
SPRING 2004 >>  IT'S AN OSCAR FOR OUR BOBBYMEN!
It's the awards season with Tom, Dick and Harry getting an award for very little, so the Partnership decided to give our Bobbymen an accolade for doing something really worthwhile for the Community.

Roger Tuck, our original Bobbyman, has been doing sterling work for over 4 years. He has been joined in the last year by Graham Smith and Grant McKelvie. In January this year Ken Miller was seconded to the scheme from The Safer Luton Partnership.
TAKE A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEWSLETTER PAGE FOR THE FULL STORY
SPRING 2003 >>  Mr Bobby - It's not one, it's not two, it's three!'
The Partnership's Bobby Scheme has been so successful in giving reassurance to the elderly and vulnerable victims of crime that it has attracted support from Luton Borough Council and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to appoint two Bobby men to work in the Borough.
SPRING 2002 >>  Mr Bobby - Three Years On ...
In the three years since its launch, our Bobby man - Roger Tuck has averaged 500 referrals per year ....
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
   
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