Police launch summer crackdown on crime in Northampton town centre
More officers on the streets alongside youth support initiatives
Northamptonshire Police has launched a nine-week operation aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, serious violence, shoplifting and drug-related harm in Northampton town centre over the summer months.
Operation Workforce, which is now in its third year, will run from early July through to September and sees the force working alongside West Northamptonshire Council and Northampton Business Improvement District (BID) to address community concerns while providing reassurance to residents, businesses and visitors.
Neighbourhood Sergeant Anna Wyburn said the operation had become an established part of policing during the summer period.
"So this isn't the first time we've launched this. This is actually the third year that we have done Operation Workforce and all of the topics have been fairly similar as well across the three years," she said.
"We obviously know that with the summer holidays and with the warmer weather, naturally there is going to be an increase in kind of antisocial behaviour.
"The footfall is going to be busier, people are going to be out for longer and it's going to be busier anyway. So it's just kind of about getting ahead of the curve and just being present, having a visibility in the town."
Four key areas of concern
The operation will focus on four themes: anti-social behaviour, drug harm, serious violence and shoplifting.
Sergeant Wyburn said officers were particularly concerned about anti-social behaviour involving young people and the risks associated with abandoned buildings.
"We're tackling a lot of issues around abandoned buildings as well and people, young people going into there and it's just dangerous," she said.
"A lot of the buildings have got asbestos, the roofs are not safe and things like that. We want to try and keep them safe."
She also acknowledged concerns around serious violence and knife crime.
"It's not a secret that we are seeing more weapon related incidents as well," she said. "So that's why we're trying to target and educate around that, hopefully to deter any further serious incidents."
Focus on prevention and youth engagement
Alongside enforcement activity, there will be a strong emphasis on prevention and education, particularly among young people.
Free2Talk's youth bus will visit Market Square on August 4th and August 25th, offering activities, support and engagement opportunities alongside youth workers and young ambassadors.
Sergeant Wyburn said the ''relaxed'' sessions would help educate young people about the dangers of carrying weapons, criminal exploitation and involvement in drug gangs.
"It's more about sharing the wider risks and trying to engage with them that way," she said.
"It's not police officers just telling them, don't do this, don't do that. It's more about sharing the wider risks."
Reassurance for residents
Residents can also expect to see an increased police presence throughout the town centre during the summer, including dedicated patrols into the evening.
"Don't be alarmed if you see us. Come and talk to us if you have any concerns or any questions." She added.
The operation will include high-visibility patrols, hotspot policing, business engagement, enforcement against known offenders and specialist tactics such as knife arches and possible drugs detection deployments.
Asked about the use of knife arches at events and licensed venues, Sergeant Wyburn said the tactic was designed both to detect weapons and act as a deterrent.
"It's basically just going to catch people that think it's acceptable to go into these premises with a knife," she said.
''It's only something to be alarmed of if you're going to be trying to carry a weapon."
West Northamptonshire Council is also supporting the operation, with anti-social behaviour officers taking part in joint patrols and youth engagement work throughout the summer.
Councillor Charlie Hastie, Deputy Leader of West Northamptonshire Council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said:
"We take anti-social behaviour and crime very seriously and are committed to keeping Northampton town centre a safe and welcoming place for everyone.''
Operation Workforce will continue throughout the summer, with residents encouraged to report crime and anti-social behaviour to police via 101, or 999 in an emergency.