Town-centre crime crackdown results in 52 arrests

Police have been focusing on the Market Square area of Northampton

Beat officers targeting specific crimes in a town centre have made 52 arrests within the first four weeks of the programme.

Police said the operation in Northampton's Market Square area was tackling anti-social behaviour, retail offences, drugs and serious violence.

As well as the arrests, officers conducted 29 stop searches as well as patrolling insecure buildings which could be a target for anti-social behaviour or arson.

There has also been an increased use of community protection warnings (CPWs) and community protection notices (CPNs).

Neighbourhood policing inspector Nicola Davis-Lyons said the project was building on successes seen last year, and had been welcomed by town centre businesses, workers and residents.

"We've been making good progress in terms of arrest figures, and our use of CPWs and CPNs is down to increased public reports about anti-social behaviour," she said.

"Under-reporting is still an issue so we're really encouraging everyone to let us know about any suspicious or criminal activity they see or are aware of.

"Please have the confidence to share what you know with us, to help us do even more."