Police and partnership approach to tackling crime brings improvements to Northampton's Bouverie estate

A police and partnership approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour has helped reduce offending and improve police and community engagement on the Bouverie estate in Northampton, following a year of targeted action.

Since May 2025, Northamptonshire Police has been working closely with West Northamptonshire Council and other partners as part of the Together we Solve project, using the Home Office Clear Hold Build approach.

The project focused on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, improving public spaces and building stronger relationships with local residents to create long‑term change.

A dedicated Clear Hold Build team of four officers worked alongside the local neighbourhood policing team, concentrating on the issues that mattered most to people living on the Bouverie estate.

Local residents and businesses told officers that drug dealing, shoplifting and anti‑social behaviour were among their biggest concerns. This feedback helped shape the team’s priorities and guided the activity that followed.

Chief Inspector Kim Jackson, from the Northamptonshire West Local Policing Area, said: “Support and input from the local community is a really important part of the Clear Hold Build approach.

“Following an initial survey to help establish what issues were concerning people most, regular monthly meetings were set up to give local people the chance to speak directly with their policing team. We encouraged people to raise concerns with officers and wanted to build their confidence to report issues to us so we could take appropriate action.

“Partnership working is also a crucial part of the approach. The team worked with Northamptonshire Partnership Homes to hold community surgeries specifically for residents living in housing association accommodation.

“We also completed ‘walk‑arounds’ and visual audits of the estate with West Northamptonshire Council’s environmental team and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. These helped identify areas at risk of fly‑tipping, arson or other crime and informed further prevention work.”

Further partnership activity included a targeted Crimestoppers campaign, funded by West Northamptonshire Council, which encouraged people to report crime and share information anonymously. This helped improve intelligence and supported proactive policing.

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “These results show the real difference that can be made when the police, council and wider partners work closely together with local people. By listening to residents and focusing on the issues that matter most to them, we have seen genuine improvements on the Bouverie estate.

“Our role has been about supporting both enforcement and prevention - from funding initiatives such as the Crimestoppers campaign, to working alongside police, housing providers, fire and rescue services and community partners to improve public spaces and reduce opportunities for crime. We are committed to continuing this partnership approach, building on the progress made and ensuring residents feel safer, supported and proud of their neighbourhood.”

Officers also worked with local schools, delivering educational sessions focused on early intervention, personal safety, risk awareness and positive decision‑making.

To address drug‑related crime, the team set up a working group with partners including the Probation Service and local charity Substance to Solutions, aiming to divert known offenders away from drugs and criminal behaviour.

Shoplifting was also a focus and officers carried out regular patrols and engagement to support local retailers, and focused on disrupting the activities of those most frequently involved in this type of offending. Targeted action against those linked to repeat offending helped achieve a 58 per cent reduction in shop theft offences between April and December 2025.

Overall, during the same period, reported crime on the Bouverie estate fell by 28 per cent, from 694 offences to 495. Information from the public also increased, helping officers identify people committing crime and supporting enforcement action.

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “I’m pleased to hear that this Clear, Hold, Build project has been so successful in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and rebuilding trust and confidence between residents and the police on the Bouverie estate.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live, enjoy clean public spaces, and know that they are being looked out for. I hope that the changes put in place and the relationships built will have lasting success.”

Next steps

As the project enters the Build phase, the Clear Hold Build team has now begun work in a new Northampton area, Spring Boroughs. The Bouverie estate will continue to receive regular support from its neighbourhood officers and PCSOs.

Chief Inspector Jackson added: “Clear Hold Build is about working with communities, helping and empowering them to bring about positive change. The support and information we’ve received from people living on the Bouverie estate has been vital in helping us tackle crime and make the area safer.

“We want to thank everyone, residents and businesses, who has supported this work by reporting crime, sharing information and engaging with us. That involvement has made a real difference and will help ensure the improvements we’ve seen are sustained.”

“If you have any further questions or  concerns, please do get in touch with the local neighbourhood team, who will be happy to help.”

To contact your local neighbourhood policing team go to www.northants.police.uk/yourarea, enter your postcode and click on the Contact us tab.

For updates about crime and policing in your area, sign up to our community messaging service at www.northamptonshiretalking.co.uk.