More than 2,500 crimes in Kettering since start of 2016

Police statistics released ahead of a council meeting next week have revealed there were 2,519 crimes in the town’s nine wards from January to June.

William Knibb ward saw the most reported crime, with 763 incidents.

Of these, more than 200 were shoplifting offences, while three were rapes.

Brambleside ward saw the fewest recorded crimes, with just 74 in six months. Of those, 15 were for criminal damage in May alone.

Ise Lodge also saw a fairly low amount of criminal activity, with 118 incidents in 2016 so far.

The second highest number of crimes were committed in St Michaels and Wicksteed, with 332.

In All Saints ward, there were 321 incidents in six months, with 296 in Pipers Hill.

There were 232 incidents in Avondale Grange, with five incidents of rape – the highest in the town.

In Northfield 218 crimes were reported, while St Peters saw 165.

Statistics relating to Kettering borough’s rural areas will be released soon.