Volunteers support police Christmas safety scheme

Northampton Guardians have been supporting the police over the festive period since 2021

Two volunteer groups are joining forces with police to help keep revellers safe on weekend nights out over the festive season.

Kettering Street Pastors and Northampton Guardians, who volunteer with the Safer Nights Out (SNO) vans, will support Northamptonshire Police as part of Operation Kayak, which targets hotspot areas in Northampton and Kettering.

Launched in 2021, the initiative focuses on reducing crime and addressing inappropriate behaviours.

Det Ch Insp Nickie Deeks said: "Our officers will look out for individuals who are being sexually aggressive, or intimidating, or whose behaviour causes concern."

Operation Kayak officers will patrolling Kettering and Northampton to help everyone safely enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations

Officers will undertake patrols on Friday and Saturday nights in the towns during December, and on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

The SNO vans, funded by the Northamptonshire police, fire, and crime commissioner, operate in Northampton's Market Square and Bridge Street and in Kettering town centre.

Since 2021, Northampton Guardians have spent over 10,000 hours keeping people safe, assisting more than 2,000 individuals.

Gill Goodship, one of the volunteers, said: "We're certainly busier around this time, especially on New Year's Eve.

"There will be at least 10 of us on shift this year."

Meanwhile, Kettering Street Pastors, who began running the town's SNO van last year, have contributed 2,000 hours this year alone, helping hundreds of people during their shifts.

In Northampton, the SNO van is available between 10pm and 5am, while in Kettering, the SNO van operates from 11pm to 3am on Saturdays and additional key nights, including Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.