Police say that "forensically aware" offenders are making it harder for them to resolve investigations into burglaries in Northamptonshire.

New data released by the official police data website shows that no suspect has been identified in more than 30,000 burglaries across the county since 2012.

Image source, Getty Images

"It's one of those crimes where, as time has gone on, people have become incredibly forensically-aware," said Det Supt Dennis Murray.

"So finding forensic evidence [of the sort] that we used to find is probably less [likely] now."

The same figures also revealed that the total number of unsolved crimes in Northamptonshire since 2012 is just short of 235,000.

"We do have dedicated teams looking at things like burglary," added Det Supt Murray. "For example we have a team looking at a series of distraction burglaries.

"But it is an area where it is incredibly difficult, because you can never predict exactly where the offence is going to happen."

In Northamptonshire, the figures reveal that over the five year period, just 5% of burglaries remain under investgation - with nearly 25,000 cases of burglary closed due to no suspect being identified.

The figures also reveal that the total number of unsolved crimes in Northamptonshire since 2012, is just shy of 235 thousand.

• Read more: More than two thirds of England & Wales thefts are 'never solved'

Craig Lewis
BBC News

The jury in the trial of former Northamptonshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) Adam Simmonds has failed to reach a verdict.

Mr Simmonds pleaded not guilty to a charge of recklessly passing on details of a fraud investigation into Wellingborough MP Peter Bone to other Conservatives.

That investigation was dropped by police.

Earlier, the jurors had been told by judge, Mr Justice Green, that he would accept a majority decision if 10 of the 12 agreed on the verdict.

But the jury of nine men and three women could not reach the required number and the judge discharged them.

The judge thanked them for their time and efforts and remarked that it had been "a very novel, complex and sensitive case".

He added that it may be "a court record for the number of notebooks used".

The prosecution asked for seven days to consider a retrial - which was granted.

Craig Lewis
BBC News

The jury at the Adam Simmonds trial has failed to agree on a verdict and has been discharged by the judge Mr Justice Green.

Craig Lewis
BBC News

Mr Justice Green has just told the jury he will accept a majority decision in the trial of former Northampton Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Adam Simmonds.

At least 10 of the jury of nine men and three women must be agreed.

Mr Simmonds, 40, denies recklessly passing on details of a fraud probe which featured Wellingborough MP Peter Bone.

The leader of the House of Commons and MP for South Northamptonshire, Andrea Leadsom, has provoked laughter by accidentally referring to Jane Austen as "one of our greatest living authors".

Ms Leadsom was welcoming a new plastic £10 note featuring a portrait of the author, who died 200 years ago.

BBC Weather

After a downpour this morning, patchy rain will clear from the west across Northamptonshire.

This afternoon, it'll be brighter and fresher with sunny spells.

The high 19C (66F).

For more, go to BBC Weather.

BBC Radio Northampton

Last week it was announced that the firm which runs Corby's Urgent Care Centre, external will not be re-bidding when their contract to maintain the service expires in September.

With no alternative bid on the table, BBC Radio Northampton has been looking at what happens next...

Northants spinner Seekkuge Prasanna will miss the entire 2017 T20 Blast competition with a hamstring injury.

Police are investigating after a number of cars had their tyres slashed in Northampton.

Up to 14 vehicles were damaged in Hertford Court in Little Billing between 02:30 and 03:00 yesterday.

Image source, Google

Officers say that four males wearing hooded tops were seen running away from the scene after a car alarm sounded.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101.

The electrification of the Midland Mainline, external (London-Sheffield) north of Kettering is "no longer necessary" according to the government.

In a statement issued in the past hour, external, the transport secretary Chris Grayling said new modern bi-mode trains, which can operate on diesel or electric, will be introduced on the line, meaning "disruptive" electrification work on the line to Nottingham and Sheffield won't be needed.

The government says passengers will benefit from more seats and faster journey times.

Image source, Google

Martin Borley
BBC Radio Northampton

The chief executive of Kettering General Hospital says the hospital has been cleared of allegations of fraud following claims made by a 'whistle blower'.

NHS Protect - which is the health service's counter-fraud body - investigated claims that the hospital deliberately removed patients from its waiting lists.

The hospital has always denied the allegations.

"There has been a lot of concern about fiddling the waiting list," the hospital's interim chief executive Fiona Wise told me at the hospital's annual meeting last night.

"[But] NHS Protect have been looking at the issues, and they've confirmed - absolutely - that there was no fraud."

Ms Wise's predecessor David Sissling was one of two senior figures at Kettering General Hospital to resign earlier this month.

Meanwhile, it was also announced at last night's meeting that the hospital's deficit has increased to £24.6m, with a 10% increase in admissions to A&E cited as being partly responsible.

The figure was 7% more than predicted.

Goals from Tom Lorraine and Ben Farrell helped Southern League East side AFC Rushden & Diamonds to a 2-0 pre-season win over Northampton Town last night.

The Cobblers went into the game at Hayden Road in Rushden just a day after playing another non-league side Frome Town in Somerset.

Image source, Getty Images

Northampton continue their preparations for the new League One season - which starts on 5 August - with a match against Kettering Town in the Maunsell Cup final at Wellingborough Town's Dog & Duck ground on Saturday, 22 July.

• Northampton Town's 2017-18 fixtures
• Cobblers sign Crooks from Rangers

Craig Lewis
BBC News

The jury in the case of a former police and crime commissioner (PCC) accused of passing on details of a police investigation to Conservative colleagues is continuing to consider its verdict.

Adam Simmonds, 40, the former PCC for Northamptonshire, denies recklessly passing on details of a fraud probe into Wellingborough MP Peter Bone.

Image source, PA

The allegations date back to 2013 and 2014 when Mr Simmonds had conversations with leading Conservative politicians in Northamptonshire about an investigation into Mr Bone.

They included MPs Michael Ellis and Christopher Heaton-Harris.

The prosecution said Mr Simmonds "used his powers for an improper political purpose" and to aid the Conservative Party.

Defence barrister Mark Harries said the former PCC had acted as he had been concerned about the amount of time the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had been taking to review the case.

The CPS later decided not to take any action against Mr Bone.

The jury of nine men and three women at Southwark Crown Court began their deliberations at 14:30 on Tuesday.

We'll let you know when we get a verdict.

Georgina Burnett
BBC Weather

It's fairly cloudy this morning with some showers as well, fairly heavy at times, perhaps thundery.

They'll be moving off to the north east, taking most of the cloud with them. The further west you are, the more chance you've got of seeing some sunny spells by the end of the day.

Temperatures up to about 19C (66F).

Watch my full forecast for the BBC Eastern region here:

Kris Holland
BBC Radio Northampton

Welcome to live updates for Northamptonshire on Thursday, 20 July.

We'll be here until 18:00 keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, sport, weather and travel as it happens.

Image source, PaulaMaria

Don't forget that you can get in touch with the team by email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.

Kris Holland
BBC Radio Northampton

Well, that is it from all of us at Local Live for Northamptonshire. Thanks for following us.

We'll be back with more news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Thursday morning.

If you missed anything during the day, you can scroll down to read more.

See you again tomorrow!

Martin Heath
BBC Radio Northampton

Politicians in the south of the county will decide later today whether to set up a new company to provide houses for rent.

At the moment, there's a shortage of private rental properties in the district.

Only 12% of South Northamptonshire's houses are rented out by private landlords, compared to a national average of 16%.

With typical four-bedroom houses costing more than £300,000, politicians feel the alternative of renting should be more readily available.

They'll decide whether to create a local development company which would buy houses and offer them for rent - plugging the gap in the market and generating an income for the council.

It would cost about £50,000 to set the company up.

BBC Weather

Further heavy thunderstorms are possible this afternoon with a risk of hail, strong winds and torrential downpours across Northamptonshire.

The expected high is 22C (72F).

For more, go to BBC Weather.

England captain Dylan Hartley signs a new Northampton Saints deal and is reappointed as the Premiership club's skipper.

Graham McKechnie
BBC Radio Northampton sport

Two years ago Dylan Hartley stepped down as Saints' captain.

Since then the role has been held by Lee Dickson and Tom Wood, but this marks a return to a role which Hartley previously held for seven years.

In the meantime he has captained England to two Six Nations championships and one Grand Slam.

It's perhaps of greater importance though that he has signed an extension to his contract, which was due to expire next year.

This makes it likely that he will see out his playing career at Franklin's Gardens, rather than taking a potentially lucrative move to France.