Northants Chief Constable says all night patrols will be double crewed

Northamptonshire Police's Chief Constable has announced a policy change which will see all night patrols double crewed.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley made the announcement earlier today (Saturday) on Twitter.

He said: "(Northants Police's) determination to keep officers and staff safe continues with a policy change which states that NO night patrols will be single crewed.

"100 per cent of all night patrol units will be double crewed.

"Lates teams will have a minimum of 80 per cent double crewing."

The Chief Constable continued: "The double crewing policy will form part of the performance framework to ensure compliance.

"Safe, highly trained and suitably equipped officers are best placed to serve the public in the most effective way.

"We are determined to have the best trained, highly motivated workforce."

The announcement was met with largely positive reactions on Twitter in the replies.

Responding to one reply, Chief Constable Nick Adderley said research shows double crewed teams give better outcomes for the public, less sickness in officers, higher productivity, better morale and improves the sense that the force cares for the public's safety.

One response on Twitter questioned why double crewing was not a 24/7 policy but another reply questioned if cuts to policing had made double crewing harder to ensure.

The number of police officers has fallen since a series of cuts to policing due to austerity.

In Spring 2019, Northamptonshire Police at 1,227 officers but the force is hoping to have 1,500 officers in three years' time.