Please celebrate the Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend safely

Ahead of the celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee across the county, officers from Northamptonshire Police are urging the public to enjoy the four-day Bank Holiday safely.

After two summers with Covid restrictions in place, it is right that we join together as a community, to commemorate and celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Thousands of people are expected to be attend hundreds of street parties across the county, the lighting of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacon and other events to mark the historic occasion.

Crowds are also expected to flock to the Crick Boat Show and Northampton Beer Festival – which both return for the first time since 2019 - and the Corby Pole Fair, which is held every 20 years.

Local Policing Chief Inspector Pete Basham said: “We know across the county that there are lots of celebrations planned to mark the Platinum Jubilee as well as other public events over the extended bank holiday.

“We want to ensure that we can all safely celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime event and will have increased patrols taking place across the county to make sure people are celebrating sensibly and responsibly.

“However, we know that many people will be celebrating with alcohol, particularly if the weather’s nice – and we urge everyone to play their part to ensure the long weekend runs smoothly by looking out for each other.

“It should be a celebration. If your behaviour is violent or anti-social, it could have consequences for you, your family and friends, as well as any events you’re attending, which could include the potential for it to be closed.

“No-one wants that – we all want to enjoy the holiday while celebrating the Queen’s long reign. So, please don’t ruin it for everyone else.”

With hundreds of street parties and other large-scale events planned across the county, local roads in towns and villages will be closed to vehicles. For a full list of road closures click here.

With so much going on across the bank holiday weekend, the Force is expecting a high volume of calls to the Force Control Room.

Chief Inspector Basham added: “We’re expecting to be extremely busy, and so we’re making the usual appeal for people to enjoy themselves safely, and to respect staff and other attendees at these events, as well as our own officers, PCSOs, staff and special constabulary, who will be out and about throughout the weekend.

“If you do need to call us but it’s not an emergency, reporting on our website – www.northants.police.uk - helps us to better prioritise and give a better service on the 101 non-emergency number.

“This will enable anyone who is asking for our urgent help to be assisted as quickly as possible. Always call 999 in an emergency or if you see a crime in progress.”