At a special glitzy 6th Bedfordshire Police Community Cohesion Awards Ceremony held on 17th March 2023, Luton Peace Walk won the Cohesion Award in the category of Promoting Diversity.
The Award citation stated:
“Luton Peace Walk is an annual event organised by Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) and GRASSROOTS, with the aim to promote cohesion and interfaith relations. The peace walk includes visits to religious locations across the town, and provides the opportunity for residents from all backgrounds to come together, learn from one another and discover shared bonds. The Peace Walk is always well-attended with a great mix of young and old taking part. Each year a number of schools also get involved, ensuring that the young people of Luton understand one another and barriers are broken down.”
There was recognition and appreciation for a number of people, organisations and projects working tirelessly for the common good, which makes the county of Bedfordshire exceptional and unique, according to Trevor Rodenhurst, Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police and also Jon Boutcher, the former Head of the Bedfordshire Police Force and a former Met senior counter-terrorism detective.
Addressing over 300 people from Bedfordshire’s diverse communities, the key organizer of the Awards Chief Inspector Hob Haque MBE said, “It is our way of saying ‘Thank you’ for supporting your local force through exceptionally challenging times.” He added, “I have made it my personal mission to ‘humanising Police’ and I believe community policing is the bedrock of British policing. My officers and I are fully committed to challenging those who try to divide our communities. Following several national issues, we could have faced some significant social unrest but with your love and support, you didn’t allow this to happen here in Bedfordshire, so thank you for working with us.”
David Jonathan MBE, working with GRASSROOTS, LCoF & Near Neighbours Programme was also nominated in the Unsung Hero category. His nomination read;
David Jonathan, known affectionately as Johny within the community, is a leading member of the Luton Council of Faiths. Johny has been involved in some tremendous work with people from all faiths and backgrounds to help build a stronger community in town. Johny spearheads a variety of community initiatives, helping to bring the diverse communities of Luton together. Johny can also be found most weekends and evenings working tirelessly behind the scenes of numerous events helping to support the work of local communities. Through his work with GRASSROOTS, Johny is integral in leading workshops, giving talks, and delivering diversity training to the community.
Luton Council of Faiths was nominated in the Interfaith Champion category. The nomination read;
Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) is committed to encouraging and promoting tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding among people of all faiths and cultures, both in Luton and beyond. Over the years, LCoF has gained significant trust, confidence, and credibility in Luton, and works alongside a diverse array of agencies, organisations, and community groups in matters relating to community cohesion. LCoF delivers a number of community events and initiatives, including, but not exclusive to, the Annual Luton Peace Walk, musical concerts, public discussions, recreational sports projects, conservation work, and public vigils.
Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police Trevor Rodenhurst said, “I am incredibly proud to be chief constable of this fantastic county and of the brilliant relationships we have with our communities. We are so lucky to have an extraordinary number of volunteers willing to get involved in community initiatives and many of you here tonight will have provided guidance to the force on a range of difficult issues. Whether that is sitting on scrutiny groups, or advisory panels, or providing daily advice to our community teams about tensions or concerns. That input and support is crucial to keeping our communities harmonious and ultimately people safe. It also allows us to stand shoulder to shoulder and counter any narrative which seeks to create division amongst us.”
Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Festus Akinbusoye said, “I am repeatedly blown away by the help and support policing gets from every section of our community. Keeping Bedfordshire safe is a true team effort. I think we have the best communities in the country and I am grateful to all of you for the support you have provided to the cohesion team and the community policing teams across the county. I would like to say a special thank you to you all.”
From L to R: The Award Sponsor Dr Joan Bailey MBE FRSA DL, Director and CEO of The Safer Luton Partnership, Mohammad Ryad Khodabocus, Head of Community Relations & Development at Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), David Jonathan (Johny), Director GRASSROOTS & LCoF, John Murphy, Bedfordshire Police Chief Superintendent
