Three cannabis factories found and 14 e-scooters seized as police give update on how they are tackling crime in East Northamptonshire

Vehicle crime, road safety and road traffic offences, as well as drug dealing and misuse were the three local priorities set for the areas covered by the East Northamptonshire Neighbourhood Policing Team between October 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

These priorities have been the focus of much of the neighbourhood team’s work over the past six months, working in partnership with the local authority, parish and town councils, housing agencies and other partners.

Here is an update on the force’s efforts in tackling these issues.

Vehicle crime

There have been 156 reported thefts from motor vehicles, 99 reported thefts of motor vehicles, and 88 reported vehicle interferences in the area covered by the East Northants Neighbourhood Team between October and March. All victims of crime have received a reassurance visit from neighbourhood officers.

Officers have carried out a number of crime prevention surgeries across the area, specifically focused on protecting vehicles.

Operation Pyjama has been launched in conjunction with Bedfordshire Police in response to motorbike thefts.

An environmental visual audit has taken place in Rushden town centre in conjunction with North Northamptonshire Council and Rushden Town Council, with the aim of making the area less attractive to criminal activity.

In December, officers seized a Surron motorcycle in Rushden and also recovered a large quantity of drugs.

Officers have seized 14 privately owned e-scooters.

Three people have been issued with community protection notice warnings in relation to the use of motorcycles in a nuisance or illegal manner.

Road safety and traffic offences

Officers have carried out three proactive days of action targeting illegal motorcycle use, privately owned e-scooters, and wider driving offences.

Proactive patrols and enforcement activity also included speed enforcement across six locations including Thrapston, Higham Ferrers, Oundle and Rushden.

Enforcement activity has resulted in two people being charged with driving over the legal alcohol limit and one person has been issued a Section 59 warning. One person was also reported for driving without due care and attention, and for having an insecure load.

In total, six people have been reported for driving without insurance, five for using a mobile phone while driving, two for contravening a red light, one for a non-confirming numberplate, and one for contravening a one-way system.

Four vehicles were recovered for having no tax, and two prohibition notices (PG9s) were issued, preventing vehicles or trailers from being used on public roads.

The team has focused on tackling e-scooter misuse, resulting in 14 seizures of private e-scooters and several VOI account suspensions due to improper use.

Road safety week patrols were conducted at primary schools across the area covered by the East Northants Neighbourhood Team in November, promoting safe parking. Officers delivered five safety talks alongside National Highways to schools most impacted by the A14 roadworks and associated diversion routes.

Drug dealing and misuse

Operation Daisy was conducted across pubs within the East Northants Neighbourhood Team area, supported by North Northamptonshire Council licensing and Rushden Town Council. Officers have used stop and search powers on six occasions, resulting in three positive outcomes for drug offences.

Separately from this operation, officers have used stop and search powers on 56 occasions across the area covered by the East Northants Neighbourhood Team, resulting in 42 positive outcomes for drug offences.

Three cannabis factories were discovered across Rushden and Higham Ferrers, containing over 600 plants in total. Investigations remain ongoing in some cases, while others have been concluded. One suspect has been charged.

The team has executed five warrants relating to drug offences across the area and investigations into these are ongoing. These have all been related to cannabis factories or drug supply.

Current priorities

Over the six months from April to September 2026, the East Northamptonshire Neighbourhood Policing Team will focus on the following areas. This is based on local crime figures, discussion with local authority and other partners, and feedback from the community through the force’s regular local priorities survey:

- Drug dealing and misuse

- Road safety and road traffic offences

- ASB nuisance motorcycles