Semilong Neighbourhood Watch
Community Messages

[NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COMMUNITY MESSAGING - Northamptonshire West - 04.12.09 - WB/CMS/1529/09 - ALL NHW - OP GUARDIAN ]

This is a message from Northamptonshire West Police to all residents in Northamptonshire.

Two people were arrested as part of the Operation Guardian visits that took place across Northamptonshire Wednesday 2 December.

Police officers spent the day knocking on the doors of 200 people throughout the county who they believe are possibly involved in serious acquisitive crime.
The visits were made as part of Operation Guardian, the force's focus on robbery, burglary and vehicle crime, and follows a day of action that saw 19 people arrested across the county two weeks ago.

Each person who received a knock at the door was presented with a letter explaining why they have been visited and had the aims behind Operation Guardian explained to them.

They were told that they will be visited again, at any time of day or night if they become involved or are believed to be involved in any of these crimes.

One person who was visited by officers in the north of the county has agreed to take part in the Rose Programme, a multi-agency scheme that works with some of the most active offenders in an effort to offer support and encouragement to stop their offending behaviour, therefore reducing the levels of crime.

Two teenage boys were arrested by officers taking part in the day's activity. One, a 16 year-old boy from Kettering was arrested after being found in possession of a stolen motorbike. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

A 17 year old boy from Northampton who was wanted on warrant in connection with a number of serious acquisitive crimes was arrested and remains in custody.

Superintendent Peter Windridge, from Operation Guardian, said: "Yesterday's operation was a great success. We spoke to the vast majority of the people we set out to and will be revisiting those addresses to speak to the people who were not in when we called.

"In the course of our visits we also arrested two people in connection with a number of crimes. We also saw a drop in crime levels across the county during the day, particularly in relation to vehicle crime."

Those people who were visited have been told that they will be visited again, at any time of day or night if they become involved or are believed to be involved in any of these crimes.

Superintendent Windridge added: "As well as making the message clear that we are focussing hard on these crimes and the people committing them, the day also allowed us to gather some valuable intelligence on those people committing crimes.

"While making the visits, officers also distributed leaflets explaining Operation Guardian and the work of Crimestoppers to local residents."

Thank you

Ref: WB/CMS/1529/09

**Northamptonshire Police Contact Details**

Emergency: 999
Dedicated Watch Line: 01604 XXXXXXX
Northamptonshire Police Switchboard: 101

Alternatively Call Crime Stoppers Anonymously: 0800 555 111

Drugs In Our Community

As you know, drugs are NEVER something we should turn our backs on. Drugs can be addictive, even cannabis and many people commit crime in order to get the cash to pay for drugs. There is also the side issue of dirty needles being left lying around the Semilong Community, as what happened recently when some were found outside Castle School.

For that reason, if you know anything about drugs in our community, please let the police know, let us know, or tell Crimestoppers.

This is an issue which must be tackled.

9th July 2009