Action to tackle 'open drug dealing' around Kettering park

Police say they are taking a zero-tolerance approach to those causing misery after concerns were raised about drug dealing in an area of Kettering.

Ward councillors Mick Scrimshaw and Keli Watts shared fears from residents living in the Mill Road area with Northamptonshire Police chief constable Nick Adderley over "openly criminal activity".

They ran a survey and said drug dealing in the open was residents' biggest concern.

Cllr Scrimshaw said: "It came up again and again and again. There's always been an element of anti-social behaviour but people are now openly dealing drugs.

"One woman we spoke to said her 13-year-old son was walking through Mill Road Pocket Park when he was offered drugs.

"I'm quite a tolerant person and if people want to drink and take drugs at home then that's their choice.

"But when it's open and when it's in front of vulnerable and elderly residents they cannot help but feel intimidated."

Area Commander of the North Local Policing Area, Superintendent Dennis Murray, said: “We are aware of the issues raised by the local councillors for the Mill Road area of Kettering and have an operation currently running to help address these concerns.

“Operation Lily aims to tackle the priority crimes as set out by the force, which includes targeting those who commit drug offences, knife crime and burglaries as well as support our more vulnerable members of the community.

“Working together with our partners, we will improve our communities and make sure there is a long and sustainable reduction in crime and not just over the period of the operation.

“There are some people out there who think they can do what they like. However, we are adopting a zero-tolerance approach to those insisting on causing misery and harm to those living in these communities.”

Cllr Scrimshaw added that it was good to hear police are tackling the problem.