A force for change: Northampton town centre operation continues

An operation to improve police visibility and drive down crime in Northampton’s revamped Market Square area secured more than 40 arrests during its first four weeks.

Operation Workforce is being run by the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) to improve officer visibility and tackle four key crime types in the newly revamped Market Square area, in response to concerns from business owners and residents.

Each crime type – anti-social behaviour, retail crime, drugs and serious violence – has been used as a weekly focus for the policing team.

Over the first four weeks, Operation Workforce officers secured 42 arrests, which led to 24 people being charged – some with multiple offences.

A total of 16 people were remanded to court, four were recalled to prison, and officers successfully applied to magistrates for two new criminal behaviour orders against individuals responsible for causing issues in the area.

NPT Inspector Nicola Davis-Lyons said: “Since Operation Workforce began, we’ve been clear that we will be using all the powers available to us to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the Market Square and wider town centre.

“As well as making arrests, we’ve also been working hard to strengthen our business and community contacts, encouraging two-way conversation, and building what I hope will be lasting and mutually beneficial relationships for us all. Feedback so far has been really positive and we continue to encourage shoppers, traders and residents to let us know their thoughts and concerns so we can put our focus exactly where it needs to be.”

The operation is now well into its second half, with week two of action tackling anti-social behaviour issues seeing a partnership clean up event ahead of the soft launch of the market area, and a day of e-scooter enforcement action in partnership with e-scooter hire firm Voi.

A further five arrests were made that week, leading to charges against two people, with two recalled to prison. Measures including community protection notices continued to be used to tackle problematic behaviour.

The second week focusing on retail crime saw five people arrested, with three charged and two remanded in custody ahead of further court proceedings, taking the arrest total to 52 over the six weeks so far.

Partnership working is continuing throughout the operation, to ensure issues are identified and dealt with by the relevant body, including West Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Inspector Davis-Lyons said: “While we’ve got loads of great operational work going on, we’re also hard at work behind the scenes too, liaising with our partners to ensure a joined-up and realistic approach to resolving issues that can affect the town centre.

“We’re also well into planning the transition to daily business once Workforce concludes, which will see us continue to work closely with our partners to ensure our joint successes become the new normal for the Market Square, keeping it a safe and attractive place that everyone can enjoy.”