Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) are issued by our Enforcement Officers for littering, fly-tipping, spitting, urinating, cycling in a restricted area and dog control order offences. See our full list of offences and penalties and FPNs explained for more details.
Our Enforcement Officers are employed either directly by us or by our contractor District Enforcement. Officers from District Enforcement wear a blue uniform with both the Council and District Enforcement logos, they also wear body-worn CCTV cameras and carry photo IDs.
Pay a Fixed Penalty Notice
Our Enforcement Officers do not take payments. The FPNs they issue will tell you how much you have to pay, the payment due date, and if an early payment discount applies.
You cannot pay by cheque or by instalments.
FPNs issued by Bedford Borough Council (6 digit reference number)
By phone: 01234 718060.
To pay by cash please call 01234 718060 for further information.
For FPNs issued by the Council's street enforcement contractor District Enforcement (9 digit reference number)
Pay Fixed Penalty Notice online
Or by automated phone line: 0203 131 3801 / 0151 647 0387
If you don't pay a Fixed Penalty Notice
If you refuse to pay the FPN, or choose to have the case heard at the Magistrates' Court (as is your right), you could receive a fine greater than the fixed penalty if convicted.
Disputing a Fixed Penalty Notice
You can query a FPN in the form of a 'representation'.
Representations must be made in writing and show the FPN was not issued correctly by law – for example, by proving it was issued to the wrong person.
Representations are not considered on the basis that you didn't know the law, you didn't know the law was being enforced or it was the first time you committed the offence. Representation for FPNs issued for leaving litter will not be considered on the basis there were no signs stating this was not permitted nor if there were no litter bins present.
To make representation for FPNs issued by District Enforcement (9 digit reference number), you can use the 'make a representation online' form:
Or by phone: 0151 647 0387 or email Bedford.council@district-enforcement.co.uk
This email is to only be used to dispute a Fixed Penalty Notice, see here for Parking Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
To make representation for FPNs issued by Bedford Borough Council (6 digit reference number), email CommunityRegulation@bedford.gov.uk
Or by post:
Bedford Borough Council
Room 401
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street
Bedford
MK42 9AP
If you wish to raise a complaint about the behaviour of an Enforcement Officer, you can do so by following our customer feedback procedures here.
The customer feedback procedures are separate from the representation process. The representation process will need to be followed to challenge a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Please note, if a complaint about an Officer’s behaviour is raised, a Fixed Penalty Notice will still need to be paid if issued correctly.
Can I appeal my FPN?
If you have received an FPN your only right of appeal is in a court. If you don't agree you committed the offence, the matter will be dealt with as a prosecution in court. It will be up to the court, on receiving evidence, to decide whether an offence was committed and if a penalty should be imposed.
