‘You said, we did’: Community information leads to Daventry drug conviction

People power has led to the successful prosecution of a man caught selling illegal drugs in Daventry.

On January 25, officers from Daventry Neighbourhood Policing Team used Northamptonshire Talking to ask their community for information about drug-related activity.

As a direct result of the replies they received, the team were able to target their activity where it was most needed, resulting in the stop and search of a man on The Hollows playing field on January 31.

Officers found 40 wraps of suspected Class A drugs on the man, as well as almost £1,000 in cash.

He was arrested and went on to be charged with possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, entering a guilty plea at court.

The investigation was run by officers from Operation Fragment, a partnership project working to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues in Daventry.

PC Adam Colton, from the Operation Fragment team, said: “This case is a really great example of the value and importance of information from the people we serve.

“In just a week, we went from asking for information about illegal activity to having someone in court admitting their guilt.

“We couldn’t have acted so quickly without this help from our community, and I’m grateful to everyone who got in touch to share their concerns and what they knew.

“I hope this result shows just how much we value information from our residents, and our commitment to acting on it to deliver on the issues that matter to people in Daventry.”

Launched in September 2023, 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.

You can contact the team by emailing [email protected]

Non-emergency crime and suspicious activity can be reported by calling 101, or online at www.northants.police.uk/RO. In an emergency, always call 999.

Northamptonshire Talking is a free messaging service from Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and other partner organisations, providing news and updates on policing matters that are relevant to you.

Find out more and sign up here: https://www.northamptonshiretalking.co.uk/

• Oltion Stafasani, aged 20, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a Class A drug (cocaine) with intent to supply at a hearing at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on February 1 and was remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing, which is due to take place at Northampton Crown Court on March 4.