Issues surrounding a community group on Facebook has got out of hand according to local residents.
Over the last few months, the leader of Three Rivers District Council and Abbots Langley Parish councillor Sara Bedford has been causing a stir on the social media site by blocking, and sometimes removing people from Abbots Langley Matters because of the opinions they express.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Everybody is having issues with the site, it’s getting ridiculous. She acts like she dominates everything, and I totally believe it conflicts her councillor status.
“We can’t have adult discussions about local issues, and you would dare to have a Conservative or Labour opinion otherwise you’re out. She doesn’t have the authority to dictate what people can or can’t say – she’s not the Facebook police.”
Another resident commented: “It should be called Lib Dem Matters or Sara Bedford’s Opinion Matters because she will shoot you down and even block or remove you if you have a different opinion.”
Judy Stower said: “We are very lucky here in Abbots Langley, as there are at least 10 groups with a focus or interest in Abbots Langley, its people and/or its activities.
“Each group lays out what it is about and who runs it. So you choose a group that suits the purpose YOU want to use it for.
“If your purpose is deemed to be against the rules of that particular group by you can always find another one to use.”
A local, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I’m blocked as I asked whether a non-political person could be admin as well. She made it that no comments could be made and when I asked the question again she blocked me on the group.
“Power freak, it is wrong she is the admin on there. I would have thought Abbots Langley Parish Council would have advised her to come off but they’re probably too frightened by her.”
Councillor Sara Bedford commented: “Hardly anyone is removed from the Group. People are removed for persistent advertising or off-topic postings, or for continued swearing and/or rudeness. No comment is removed simply for the opinion expressed.
“The Abbots Langley Matters group is by far the most popular local Facebook group and is still having several members join every day. Residents often tell me how much they value a part of the internet where there is no trolling, bad language, persistent hobby horsing or mention of Brexit.”
What are you views? Email your thoughts to newshub@mynewsmag.co.uk
She often blocks people (common amount seems to be 72 hours!) so they can’t see, or comment for a period of time.
It’s quite frankly outrageous that she has this power on what is meant to be a local site.
I fully understand the need to have controls in place, otherwise posts would be silly or constant business posts, so the Monday business thread is a good thing.
But freezing people out for 3 days purely because their view differs to hers is like we’re living in a communist state.
She should do the same thing as Ms. T May and stand down!
Get rid off her!!!!!
I cannot believe this article is even written. I am a local resident and member of AL Matters Facebook and I am appalled with some of the abuse given out to Sara Bedford when she appears to comment facts and helpful detail that folks appear to take out of context. I don’t agree with everyone’s opinion, but I hardly consider this to be a war on Facebook. This is completely out of context and gotten completely out of hand due to some small minded minority.
Sara Bedford is utterly disgraceful in how she treats people she is clearly out for herself only. When there was a serial rapist in and around Hertfordshire I warned others to be vigilant and be more aware, she told me I was scaremongering and also said she locks her doors at night and would never be telling people to be vigilant. Which I find a complete disgrace considering she is the local councillor and should be looking out for the community.
On another problem it was to do with the bins in a block of council properties which wasn’t being collected and she said it wasn’t down to the council to get rid and maybe take your own rubbish to the dump. Which I find very unprofessional considering what she calls herself. Then she blocked me from the abbots Langley site on fb.
There was a comment about something I disagreed with some time ago’ I commented to give a good review and Sarah Bedford blocked my comment, she PMd me to say she had blocked the comments, so my good comment didnt matter, I believe Sarah Bedford should step down and let this group grow: it’s not about her, many groups survive without a Councillor as admin!
Funny that because she does the exact same thing on the south oxhey pages . Dare to have a different opinion to hers and she blocks you !
That woman is crazy , how she has got away with way she behaviour is horrendous
Ive had a running in with sara, she made a comment that quite frankly was utterly rude, so i called her up on it. Well lets say she didnt have the nicest of comments to say back, shes also made an outragious comment when a young boy was hit by a car i think it was. A lady like this should not even have the power she has. She lacks empath and im sure shes only here to argue with people. She needs to step down asap.