No, a mechanical polar bear is not about to be given an Asbo indy100 indy100 Indy100 logoNewsletter sign upRegister/Sign inTop 100NewsViralPoliticsCelebritiesScience & TechVideoWishlistWishlistBooksFashion & BeautyFood & DrinkHome & GardenKidsSports & FitnessTechTravel & OutdoorsMoreScience & techVideoConversationsSportIdentitiesLifestyleShowbizTVSearchxNews

No a mechanical polar bear is not about to be given an Asbo

Evan BartlettDec 15, 2014 Central Bedfordshire Council has refuted newspaper reports which suggested it was about to issue an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) to a six-foot mechanical bear. The polar bear, named Bernard, is situated outside the Loft Cafe in Shefford and performs Christmas carols to passers-by but a story in the Bedfordshire on Sunday newspaper suggested residents feared it "could be hit with an Asbo after receiving complaints". However, a press officer for the council told i100.co.uk that the story was "embellished" and there had been "absolutely no mention of an Asbo or a gagging order, or anything like that". The council did acknowledge that one noise complaint had been made about the bear and council officers were therefore "legally obliged" to investigate it but subsequently deemed it not to be a nuisance. We have received one complaint regards a Christmas carol-singing bear and have visited the premises on a number of occasions and, while Bernard has not been deemed a nuisance, we have written to both parties, explaining the situation as part of an ongoing investigation. The council takes noise complaints seriously and has a legal obligation to fully investigate them, but we also want everyone in Central Bedfordshire to enjoy themselves over the Christmas period and would urge residents and business owners alike to be mindful of their neighbours and the local community when planning festivities.Central Bedfordshire Council statement The story in the Bedfordshire on Sunday, which was picked up by the Metro and the BBC, has subsequently been updated with a small disclaimer at the end saying: "Central Bedfordshire Council would like to make clear no ABSO proceedings have been brought against Bernard nor has he officially been 'gagged'." Government guidelines say that anyone over the age of 10 can be given an Asbo for "drunken or threatening behaviour, vandalism and graffiti and playing loud music at night". Sadly, it makes no mention of mechanical polar bears or any other inanimate objects for that matter.Keep reading...Show less

Spanish PM condemns college student' s ' repugnant' mass catcalling

Emma Thompson I cried when I heard Scottish school had won top prize

Foster carer says statue in her honour represents all carers and volunteers

Please log in or register to upvote this article

Top 100

Who won today' s PMQs Truss tells Starmer she' s ' a fighter not a quitter'

prime minister's questionspmqsliz trusskeir starmerprime minister's questions32m

Elon Musk reportedly thought that Grimes was not real

elon muskgrimescelebritiesspacexteslaelon musk4h

Just Stop Oil protester praised for ' great' explanation of soup stunt

just stop oilvan goghprotestclimate activistsjust stop oil4h

Who is Emmanuel the emu' s owner Taylor Blake

taylor blakeemuviralemmanuel the emuavian flubird flubirdtiktoktaylor blake16m

Brave woman speaks out about discovering her parents are siblings

adoptionincestbbc radio 4adoption27m

Man endures ' 29 hour flight' with screaming kids for the entire trip

flightplanechildflightOct 12, 2022

Lorraine Kelly hits out at Madonna' s ' boiled egg' face

madonnamadonnalorraine kellygmbshowbizplastic surgeryOct 11, 2022

Elon Musk is actually selling a ' Burnt Hair' fragrance

elon muskthe boring companyperfumeelon muskburnt hairOct 12, 2022

Couple spark debate for ' scandalous' wedding cake topper

wedding cakeOct 12, 2022

Love Island star shows extent of how far influencers edit photos

Love IslandOct 11, 2022

Jon Stewart slams Arkansas attorney general for her ' anti-trans law'

lgbt+Oct 11, 2022

Steven Seagal describes Putin as one of ' greatest world leaders'

steven seagalOct 10, 2022

Lizzo wears empowering shirt after being fat-shamed by Kanye West

lizzoOct 10, 2022

14 of the worst things the Tories did this week

liz trussOct 08, 2022The Conversation (0)