Boost for Daventry communities thanks to partnership project

Residents in Daventry are getting a boost thanks to a new partnership project working to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) and improve their surroundings.

Operation Fragment brings together Northamptonshire Police, West Northamptonshire Council, Daventry Town Council, housing bodies and charities to tackle crime and environmental issues, and provide advice and support to residents, primarily within the town’s Southbrook estate.

Violence, ASB, criminal damage and drug-related offending are all areas the project is focussing on, as well as road safety, including issues relating to e-scooters and bikes, and physical improvements to the area such as cutting back overgrown bushes, clearing walkways and fixing poor lighting.

Chief Inspector Pete Basham, who leads local policing for the area, said: “Operation Fragment is a really positive bit of teamwork which brings together the organisations who can really make a difference for people living, working and studying in Daventry.

“Our aim is to work together to engage with residents and address the issues that really matter to them, to improve both their surroundings and their quality of life.

“Daventry is a great town and we want to help people feel safer and proud of where they live. If you are experiencing issues, whether relating to ASB or noisy neighbours or concerns about the upkeep of your area, please let us know and we can work with our partners to help you.”

Those involved in Operation Fragment will also be encouraging residents to join Northamptonshire Talking, a free messaging service from Northamptonshire Police and local partner organisations, providing news and updates on policing and community matters that are relevant to users.

West Northamptonshire Council is supporting Operation Fragment through its Community Safety Team, engaging on issues including tackling ASB, setting up community events and organising clean up days.

It is also coordinating input from charity Children’s Trust, as well as working with bodies such as Daventry Town Council and Futures Housing group.

Councillor David Smith, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services, said: “Crimes such as violence, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, and taking illicit drugs ruin lives and undermine community cohesion.

“By working with partner agencies and the community as part of Operation Fragment we can help to tackle these issues and improve the Southbrook area for our residents.”

If you live in Daventry and have concerns about your local community, you can email details of the issue to [email protected] and the team will direct you to the best placed organisation to help.

Please don’t report live crimes to the Operation Fragment team – call 999 where a crime is in progress or life is at risk, and use 101 or report online at www.northants.police.uk/RO for non-emergency matters or to let us know about potential suspicious activity.

Information can also be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111 or online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously