Ten more arrests as Operation Workforce focuses on serious violence

A policing operation set up to drive down crime in Northampton town centre is continuing, with a week focusing on serious violence securing 10 arrests.

Operation Workforce is being run by Northamptonshire Police to improve officer visibility and tackle four key crime types – anti-social behaviour, retail crime, drugs and serious violence – in the newly revamped Market Square area, in response to concerns from business owners and residents.

Last week the work was themed on reducing serious violence, with proactive patrols seeing officers secure 10 arrests for offences including assault, public order and shop thefts.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Nicola Davis-Lyons said: “Four weeks in, Operation Workforce is going from strength to strength and it’s great to continue to bring in arrests and charges.

“It’s really nice to feel like we are doing something with our town centre community, working together to fix the issues we’ve identified, with everyone in the town invested in making the operation a success.

“The work we’ve put in so far has been sending a clear message that anyone coming into town and causing issues will be dealt with robustly. People know we are taking action and making arrests and have been changing their behaviour accordingly which is great.

“Our retailers and community contacts can feel the changes already, with people telling us they feel safer and the whole area feels so much nicer to spend time in.

“My officers are loving it as well, they are getting such positive feedback alongside the satisfaction of getting offenders locked up and securing good results in each of our areas of focus.”

The week also saw further use of community protection notices and community protection warnings, and one person was taken to court and issued with a Criminal Behaviour Order.

Knife amnesty events were held in the Market Square area, and officers took a knife arch out into the night-time economy last Friday and Saturday nights (September 13/14) to scan people entering two venues to ensure no weapons were being carried.

Work with West Northamptonshire Council included outreach events to promote Crimestoppers and Fearless channels for anonymous crime reporting.

Young people involved in Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets groups also supported the week by carrying out knife test purchase operations in retailers across the town.

Inspector Davis-Lyons said: “Getting the cadets involved in our work allows us to put the law on the sale of knives to the test in real time and offer support and education to retailers where issues are identified.

“Happily, only one business required a visit after selling a knife when they should have refused to, and I’m grateful to all our young volunteers who gave up their time to help us.

“The use of the knife arch was also positively received and it’s great to have venues working with us to improve safety for everyone. All everybody wants is for people to come into town, feel safe, and feel proud of Northampton.”

The work of Operation Workforce continues in the Market Square area this week, with the focus returning to addressing and preventing anti-social behaviour.

Later today, Thursday, September 19, a community clean-up event is taking place – volunteers are invited to join the Force and partners between 10am and 1pm, from the meeting point at All Saints Church in George Row.