Call Services for Bedfordshire on 0800 0282 887
Criminal Damage and Arson
The offence of criminal damage is destroying or damaging property of others and is covered by the Criminal Damage Act 1971.
The offence of criminal damage involves:
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Destroying or damaging any property belonging to another.
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Intending to destroy or damage property.
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Being reckless with property which causes damage or destroys it.
Criminal Damage which is caused by a fire, will be treated as arson.
Arson is intentionally and maliciously setting fire to buildings, wild or woodland areas, bins, vehicles or other property with the intent to cause damage or injury.
An individual found guilty of arson could possibly be imprisoned for life. This maximum penalty reflects the extremely serious, potentially life-changing, consequences the crime of arson can have on the victim and their families. This can include victims losing their home and all their belongings and suffering serious harm. This also takes into account the fact that arson can have serious consequences for neighbouring properties if the fire takes hold.
How can I protect myself?
Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service provides advice on how to protect yourself from arson www.bedsfire.gov.uk/home.aspx
You can also contact Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for a home fire safety visit by ringing (01234) 845000.
Where can I get help or further information?
If the criminal damage or arson is in progress, dial 999 immediately.
You can also report instances on the police website or by calling 101.
If you have any information which you think may relate to the criminal damage or arson keep a record and make sure you tell the authorities, no matter how small it may seem.
1. Paws Protect
Domestic violence and pets can make for an unsafe situation, which is why we offer our Paws Protect cat fostering service. Through a network of cat fosterers, the service provides a retreat for pets of those going into a refuge until the owner has a safe place to live and they can be reunited.
All information between the cat owner and foster carer is kept confidential. Our fosterers do not know the identity or whereabouts of the cat owner and vice versa, ensuring complete anonymity.
While it is not possible for the owner to visit their cat while it is being fostered, the Paws Protect team visit the fosterer on a regular basis and provide monthly updates to the owner to give them peace of mind.
Paws Protect covers all the costs of fostering for domestic violence – including cat food, feeding bowls, beds, vaccinations etc so owners know their pet is receiving the best care.
All information between the cat owner and foster carer is kept confidential. Our fosterers do not know the identity or whereabouts of the cat owner and vice versa, ensuring complete anonymity.
While it is not possible for the owner to visit their cat while it is being fostered, the Paws Protect team visit the fosterer on a regular basis and provide monthly updates to the owner to give them peace of mind.
Paws Protect covers all the costs of fostering for domestic violence – including cat food, feeding bowls, beds, vaccinations etc so owners know their pet is receiving the best care.
2. Womens Aid in Luton 
Founded in 1972, Women’s Aid in Luton provide support and refuge to women and children who have been subjected to domestic abuse.
Services include a helpline which runs 10-5 Monday to Friday, refuge accommodation in Luton, outreach support to women and children living in Luton, and resettlement support to women moving on from our refuges. We work with women and children from all backgrounds and circumstances.
Our services offer access to peer support groups, education, one to one sessions with trained staff and access to legal advice.
We run a children’s service which is an integral part of Women’s Aid in Luton, the trained and skilled children’s support workers are able to work with the children that come into refuge to allow them to come to terms with their experiences.
Helpline: 01582 391856
Enquiries: 01582 876636
Email: info@womensaidinluton.org
Services include a helpline which runs 10-5 Monday to Friday, refuge accommodation in Luton, outreach support to women and children living in Luton, and resettlement support to women moving on from our refuges. We work with women and children from all backgrounds and circumstances.
Our services offer access to peer support groups, education, one to one sessions with trained staff and access to legal advice.
We run a children’s service which is an integral part of Women’s Aid in Luton, the trained and skilled children’s support workers are able to work with the children that come into refuge to allow them to come to terms with their experiences.
Helpline: 01582 391856
Enquiries: 01582 876636
Email: info@womensaidinluton.org
National Listings
Barnardo's 
Welcome to Boloh, Barnardo’s COVID-19 helpline and webchat for those 11+
Call us on 0800 1512605 or chat to us online
Are you a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic child, young person, parent or carer, affected by Covid-19? You can speak to us about your worries, problems and stresses during this time, and we can provide emotional support, practical advice and signposting to other organisations who can provide further help.
If you’re a professional, you can also contact us to discuss how to support a child or young person they are working with.
Call us on 0800 1512605 or chat to us online
Are you a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic child, young person, parent or carer, affected by Covid-19? You can speak to us about your worries, problems and stresses during this time, and we can provide emotional support, practical advice and signposting to other organisations who can provide further help.
If you’re a professional, you can also contact us to discuss how to support a child or young person they are working with.
Crimestoppers 
Crimestoppers is an independent charity helping police locate criminals and solve crimes through anonymous reporting. The site also provides crime prevention advice for a number of crimes.
Stonewall Housing
We give advice about different housing related issues to hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) people every year. We understand what you, or your friends, might be experiencing. So if you need advice, contact us. You can phone us, or you can come along to one of our drop-in surgeries. Some of the housing issues we’ve helped LGBT+ people with include:
if you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless;
if your relationship with your family has broken down because of your sexual orientation or gender identity;
if you’ve been victimised or harassed;
if you need to escape from domestic abuse;
if you need advice about a dispute with your landlord;
if you need advice with your housing benefits.
if you’re homeless or at risk of becoming homeless;
if your relationship with your family has broken down because of your sexual orientation or gender identity;
if you’ve been victimised or harassed;
if you need to escape from domestic abuse;
if you need advice about a dispute with your landlord;
if you need advice with your housing benefits.
The Coroners' Courts Support Service (CCSS) 
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS) is
an independent charity founded in 2003. Trained
volunteers offer free, confidential, emotional support
and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and
others attending an Inquest at some of the Coroners’
Courts in England. We can signpost people to other
appropriate organisations and prior to the Inquest
we can give you support and information via our
Telephone Helpline.
an independent charity founded in 2003. Trained
volunteers offer free, confidential, emotional support
and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and
others attending an Inquest at some of the Coroners’
Courts in England. We can signpost people to other
appropriate organisations and prior to the Inquest
we can give you support and information via our
Telephone Helpline.
