Northants' Commissioner and Chief Constable hear crime concerns on Kettering town centre walkabout
Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone and Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet have joined representatives from Kettering Town Council and North Northamptonshire Council on a walkabout in the town centre.
During their visit on (Thursday, July 24), the pair talked with businesses and discussed issues affecting the shopping area, including anti-social behaviour, community safety and police visibility.
Shopkeepers shared their experiences and spoke of their concerns around shoplifting and crime committed by young people.
Anti-social behaviour was highlighted by the Northants Telegraph in March when business owners and residents called for action on teens causing ‘havoc’ in the High Street.
Danielle said: “I’ve heard concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre, and I want to make sure Kettering is a safe and comfortable place for people to live and work in.
“We are listening, and by working in partnership with other organisations, we will tackle the issues that matter to people and achieve more for them."
Leader of Kettering Town Council Cllr Lee Watkiss and town clerk Martin Hammond met with Ms Stone and Mr Balhatchet.
Cllr Watkiss said: “It was brilliant to welcome both Danielle and Ivan back to Kettering to continue our work together to reduce crime in Kettering town centre.
“What is clear from today’s visit is that ourselves, Northamptonshire Police and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are all on the same page and we will support where we can in their aim to enhance a visible policing presence across the town.”
As part of the Safer Streets Summer campaign, Kettering town centre will see high-visibility patrols and targeted operations in the town centre. The patrols will focus on hotspot areas, based on analysis of anti-social behaviour and crime reports to identify where officers are most needed.
There will be more patrols on Friday and Saturday evenings to deter offending and keep people safe on a night out in the town centre.
Police will also be holding community surgeries and engagement opportunities so that people can share their concerns and information.
Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: “Police officers and PCSOs are working hard every day to support residents and businesses in Kettering town centre. That’s why I want to make sure neighbourhood policing teams are right in the heart of the communities they serve, acting against offenders who are committing crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The role of neighbourhood policing is central to creating safer towns and it was so good to see that at work in Kettering today, and to talk to some of our key partners about how we work together.
“Our neighbourhood teams continue to work closely with council colleagues and other partners to address local issues, and we have activity planned over the summer as part of ongoing work and in support of the Home Office Safer Streets Summer campaign.”
Ms Stone added: “I’m grateful to the Town Council for their great approach to working with us – no one organisation can tackle these problems alone. This visit shows how much we want to strengthen our ties with each other, so that we can deliver change for the communities we serve.”
The Commissioner and the Chief Constable will soon announce the location of the planned new police base in Kettering town centre, that will house the Neighbourhood Policing Team and a public enquiry desk office.