Gang Injunction secured against Wellingborough teenager

A suspected gang member has been served with an injunction banning him from his home turf in Wellingborough and associating with others linked to violent urban street gangs.

Northamptonshire Police were granted the Gang Injunction against 18-year-old Rayshaw Bailey from Wellingborough, at Northampton County Court on Tuesday, May 3, this year.

The injunction means the teenager is prevented from entering specific areas of his hometown including the town centre, Croyland Park areas from Doddington Road to Westfield Road and Croyland Road to the A509.

Bailey is also not allowed to be in the Swanspool area between Croyland Road and Oxford Road, the Hemmingwell Estate including Nest Farm Crescent, and the Queensway Estate incorporating Kiln Farm, Minerva Road and Weavers Road up to Westfield Road.

The injunction also prohibits Bailey from entering either Northampton town centre and the Northampton East area including Thorplands, Blackthorn, Billing and Ecton Brook.

In addition to the various exclusion zones, Bailey has been banned from hanging around or communicating with 16 named associates, either via phone, internet, or any other electronic device.

Other conditions of the order include:

• A condition which denies him any defence of possessing a bladed article
• Not to be in any vehicle or ride any motorbike/moped where he knows or ought to know contains a knife
• Not to possess more than one mobile phone and one sim card
• Not to have more than £100 in cash on his person
• Not to cause harassment, alarm, or distress to any person

A breach of a Gang Injunction is regarded as a contempt of court and can result in an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison for those 18 and over. The full order will be in place for 12 months, and if Bailey breaches the restrictions, he will be arrested.

Tackling and preventing serious violence is a matter of priority for the Force, and this injunction is just one aspect of the ongoing work to reduce violent crime within our local communities.

Sergeant Chris Stevens of the Wellingborough Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I am pleased that Northampton County Court has granted this civil injunction following a detailed application being presented by Northamptonshire Police.

“This application included the community impact of fear and intimidation caused by young men and their willingness to use violence including the use of weapons within our communities.

“This injunction clearly shows these behaviours are unacceptable and that the community should not have to simply put up with this.

“It’s worth mentioning that some of the evidence is based upon hearsay which is admissible in support of a civil injunction. This is where people have shared their fears and concerns in confidence and their identities will never be revealed.

“It’s a privilege to be a spokesperson on behalf of these people and to present this evidence in support of this injunction, together we are stronger, and demonstrates how we can stand up to violence and fear.

“The Force is committed to making our communities a safer place to live and we will take steps to use these types of orders where it is proportionate and necessary to make our communities safer.

“I would like this injunction to serve as a warning to others and remind them that we will use both criminal and civil enforcement options to take a stand against any criminal behaviour which causes fear and distress.”

The civil injunction power, introduced in the Policing and Crime Act 2009 and the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, allows police and local authorities to place a range of prohibitions and requirements on the behaviour and activities of people involved in gangs and criminal activity.

Information from members of the public is vital if we are to make our communities safer. If you have any information or concerns about activities in your community, you can report non-emergency crime to 101, visit www.northants.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. In an emergency always call 999.

Or if you have any concerns about someone you know carrying a knife or involved in gang-related activity, CIRV (Community Initiative for the Reduction of Violence) is a multi-agency partnership which supports children and young adults. For more information visit www.cirv-nsd.org.uk