Op Relentless: further arrests across Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Police has continued its proactive work under Operation Relentless, resulting in a successful period of enforcement activity across the Force area over the past two weeks.

The operation focuses on identifying and arresting individuals who are wanted, outstanding, or assessed as posing a high risk to the public, while also gathering intelligence to support future enforcement and safeguarding activity.

As part of this targeted work, officers made a number of arrests and carried out enforcement action in Corby, Northampton, Wellingborough, Daventry, Kettering, and on key road networks across the county.

Friday, April 10

• A 59-year-old man from Corby was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault of a child. He has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
• A 20-year-old man from Daventry was arrested on suspicion of making and possessing indecent images of children. He has been released on conditional police bail pending further investigation.
• A 29-year-old man from Northampton was arrested for failing to appear at court in relation to a theft offence warrant.
• A 28-year-old woman from Wellingborough was dealt with for disqualified driving and failure to appear at court.
• A 47-year-old man from Daventry was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure. Following enquiries, he was released with no further action.

Tuesday, April 14

• A 16-year-old from Kettering was arrested in connection with multiple offences. He has been released on police bail pending further investigation.
• A 53-year-old man from Market Harborough has been summoned to court in relation to a traffic offence.
• A 30-year-old man from Kettering was arrested on recall to prison.

Thursday, April 16

• 17 vehicles were stopped, resulting in four arrests.
• A 36-year-old man wanted in connection with a serious sexual offence committed outside the Force area was arrested after being stopped while driving a lorry on the M1. He is now in custody while enquiries continue.
• A 27-year-old man from Northampton was arrested after being identified as wanted for drugs-related offences following ANPR checks. He remains in custody while enquiries continue.
• A 45-year-old man, from Luton, and an 18-year-old man, from Luton, were arrested after being stopped in a vehicle believed to be using false registration plates. Stolen property was recovered from the vehicle and both men were charged with theft and vehicle-related offences. They have both been bailed pending further enquiries.
• In addition to ANPR activity, a very high-risk registered sex offender was arrested. The 24-year-old man from Peterborough has since been remanded in custody.
• Seven vehicles were seized during the day, including six for insurance-related offences and one recovered at the request of another police force.

As part of the operation, the top 100 highest‑harm drivers have been identified, with the force’s ANPR network being used to locate these vehicles. This enables officers to provide advice, issue warnings, and take enforcement action where appropriate, helping to disrupt risky driving behaviour and prevent further harm.

The operation remains a key part of the Force’s commitment to protect vulnerable people, reduce harm in our communities, and ensure those who pose the greatest risk are identified, managed, and brought before the courts.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Watkins, Head of Crime and Justice and Force lead for Operation Relentless, said: “Operation Relentless is about being proactive and relentless in our approach to tackling those who present a risk to our communities.

“Through focused enforcement and intelligence-led activity, we are identifying individuals who are wanted, breaching court orders, or suspected of serious offences, and taking robust action to deal with them.

“This work also plays a vital role in safeguarding vulnerable people and preventing further harm, and our officers will continue to pursue those who think they can avoid justice.”

“By using intelligence‑led technology alongside experienced officers, we are able to disrupt criminal behaviour, target high‑harm offenders, and make Northamptonshire’s roads and communities safer.”

Jamie Culverhouse, ANPR and Facial Recognition Manager for Northamptonshire Police, said: “Both ANPR and LFR (Live Facial Recognition) play a vital role in Operation Relentless by helping us quickly locate persons who are wanted, pose a risk, or are involved in criminal activity. The use of this technology allows us to free up resources in other areas whilst being visible in the community.

Northamptonshire Police encourage anyone with information about wanted or high-risk individuals to contact police on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Further updates will be provided as Operation Relentless continues.