Newsletter - September 2018

Unused police buildings to be sold

Proceeds will be used to modernise police estate

Several empty former police buildings are up for sale, bringing significant savings in running costs as well as a cash receipt that will be reinvested in making the police estate fit for the future.

Kettering, Corby and Rushden police stations closed in 2017, either because they are in the wrong location to meet current operational police needs or they are too expensive to maintain and run. Some ex-police houses in Rushden and Earls Barton are also for sale.

The Police and Crime Commissioner has provided police accommodation in a number of different ways so that it is efficient and affordable. New, modern facilities have been built, such as the Northern Accommodation Block and the Weekley Wood justice centre in Kettering.

Working with local authorities in Kettering, Corby and Northampton has ensured that police have retained an enquiry desk for people who prefer to visit face-to-face rather than call or go online.

And Fire stations at Thrapston, Mereway and Rushden are also being shared by police.

Investment in new technology is giving police officers and PCSOs mobile access to information, so that they can remain out and about in the community.

Selling these buildings will make an annual saving of £0.25 million, as well as an anticipated £3 million capital receipt.  This will be reinvested in buildings that meet the needs of the community and the police now and in the future.

Stephen Mold, Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “It is our police officers and staff who keep Northamptonshire safe, not our buildings. The Force will continue to work smarter and collaborate with partners as we prioritise frontline policing services and our commitment to local policing.”

Unmarked HGV back on patrol to improve safety on Northamptonshire’s roads

Safer Roads Team detect 56 offences in one weekend using vehicle

Police officers have been using an unmarked HGV to identify drivers breaking the law on the county’s roads.

Owned by Highways England, the Mercedes lorry was in action with Northamptonshire Police’s Safer Roads Team from August 20-22, carrying out three patrols on major A roads and the M1.

Its elevated position allows an officer in the passenger seat to see and record drivers committing traffic offences.

Working with patrol cars, 43 vehicles were pulled over and 56 offences detected, including people not wearing seatbelts (25), drivers using mobile phones (17), and not in proper control of their vehicle (3).

PC David Lee, of the Safer Roads Team, said: “This vehicle is a really useful tool for helping keep everyone safer on our roads by enabling us to identify dangerous driver behaviour and deal with it robustly. “When you’re driving, your attention should be on the road and nothing else. Missing a call or text won’t kill you, but making one could. Most drivers do the responsible thing and obey the law, and we work hard to catch up with those who don’t.”

Outcomes for the offences will include driver education courses, fixed penalties, and court proceedings.

Giving victims a say in justice – your views

Would you support community remedy which puts victims at the heart of justice?

Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold is asking for views on the community remedy, a scheme that gives victims a say in out of court punishment of people who commit low- level offences.

The community remedy was introduced to provide a speedy but effective way to resolve low level crime and anti-social behaviour and gives victims a voice in being able to choose the consequence for the offender, where the offender admits the offence. It is up to the victim if they want to get involved.

The community remedy options currently available include: the offender providing the victim with financial compensation, repairing the damage or other unpaid work, apologising to the victim or attending treatment for drug and alcohol issues or receiving mental health support.

Have your say on how much you agree with the current list of options within the community remedy and take the opportunity to suggest any alternative options they think are missing.

You can find the survey at www.northantspcc.org.uk/communityremedy.

Please tell us your views by Friday 28th September.

Op Viper striking at the heart of serious and organised crime

Force see significant results from county-wide crackdown

A Northamptonshire Police operation launched to crackdown on serious and organised crime has achieved some significant results in its first few weeks.

The Force has been targeting people involved in gang and drug related crimes under Operation Viper, set up to tackle organised criminals believed to be involved in a range of serious crimes such as drug supply, firearms offences, fraud, cybercrime, child sexual exploitation, modern slavery and human trafficking.

Over the last few weeks, the police have targeted gangs in key areas of the county, resulting in a significant number of arrests and seizures of weapons and drugs.

In Northampton 36 people have been arrested, 21 of them believed to be part of a gang or organised crime group.  Bladed weapons and class A drugs have been recovered and a number of people have been charged with a range of serious offences.

In Kettering, police have identified and helped a number of vulnerable people who were at risk of being targeted by criminals in what’s known as cuckooing – that’s where someone will bully or intimidate a vulnerable person, taking over their home to use as a base to deal drugs.

In Raunds, Police carried out warrants at two addresses, recovering a small amount of drugs.

In Daventry, police carried out seven warrants, making five arrests and recovering a large amount of class A and class B drugs – this was a joint operation between Northamptonshire Police and Warwickshire Police.

Superintendent Sean Bell, who is leading this phase of Operation Viper, said:  “We have been targeting the key locations where we know that gangs in Northamptonshire are active but crime doesn’t respect borough borders and this operation will keep the whole of the county safer from gangs, drug dealers and the violence and other crimes that come as a consequence of their activities.

“I’m pleased to say that we have had some good results so far but this is just the beginning: Viper is an ongoing operation and we won’t let up until we are sure we have made a real impact on serious and organised crime in our county.”

The policing year on a page

Sign-up to our Neighbourhood Alert system