Estate residents urged to anonymously report crime

Police and Crimestoppers are urging people in part of a town to speak out anonymously about crime in their community.

The Northamptonshire force's Clear, Hold, Build project is targeting anti-social behaviour in the Highfield area of Kettering, through high-visibility policing and by working with partners.

Four men were arrested there in June on suspicion of drug offences while police statistics showed 100 crimes were reported in the area in the same month.

Lydia Patsalides from Crimestoppers said: "I feel it's important that the people of Kettering know they have a voice to be able to speak up about their concerns on crime in their community, completely anonymously."

Crimestoppers, which operates independently of the police, added the campaign also aimed to highlight issues of grooming and exploitation.

It said organised gangs were known to be targeting vulnerable people with gifts and promises of protection before trapping them in a cycle of fear and debt.

Some are then coerced into transporting illegal drugs and cash across towns and cities, a practice known as County Lines.

The charity warned people who bought drugs were directly funding criminal networks that exploit others.

Sgt Jay Cheema from Kettering's neighbourhood policing team said: "We remain focused on tackling anti-social behaviour, drug harm and weapon-related offences within the Highfield estate area.

"We want to encourage people to keep reporting crime, and feel confident and safe in doing so."