It’s a #MatterOfPriority – tackling serious violence in Northamptonshire

Tackling serious violence will be the focus this week for Northamptonshire Police with enforcement, crime prevention and safeguarding activity planned.

Led by Chief Inspector Dan Finney, the week will once again raise awareness of the work going on across the county to tackle serious violence and provide vital advice to members of the public which will help keep them as safe from harm as possible.

Chief Inspector Finney, said: “This twelve-week campaign highlights all four of Northamptonshire Police’s priorities – drug harm, violence against women and girls, serious and organised crime, and serious violence.

“This week focuses on serious violence and a whole calendar of meaningful activity is planned to continue our work on this very important area.

“And enforcement cannot be the only weapon in our arsenal. We need to speak to young people and focus just as much on prevention and safeguarding as we do on warrants and arrests.”

During the week of action, DCI Finney has arranged training for local door staff on how to search people going into pubs, bars and clubs for knives, weapons and drink spiking equipment.

He will also be working closely with the Force’s Licensing Team and the Pubwatch scheme to promote safety advice to local pubs, bars and clubs.

Test purchase operations will also be taking place in local shops to ensure that knives are not being sold irresponsibly to young people.

DCI Finney is also keen to work with local takeaways and late-night food outlets to display clear crime prevention advice in their shops which detail how people can best protect themselves against robbery when they are out and about.

He said: “I want to be absolutely clear on the fact that the only people at fault when someone gets robbed or assaulted are the offenders, wherever the attack takes place and at whatever time. And in an ideal world, we would not have to issue safety advice to people.

“However sadly, there are people out there who would look to take advantage of certain situations and we want to arm people with the best advice so they give themselves the best chance of not coming across these opportunistic attackers.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to ask that any members of the public who may have information relating to serious violence in their community, to contact us. Your community intelligence could be vital and will allow us to build up a bigger picture of what is going on in our county and where we need to focus our resources in the future.

“Finally, though lots of work will be taking place this week, I would like to reassure the community that all the work you’ve been seeing in the past twelve weeks happens all the time and we will continue pushing hard to make Northamptonshire a safer place for all.”

If you have information that you would like to pass onto us, please call us on 101 or report online at www.northants.police.uk/ro. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.