Additional policing has been lined up for Northampton town centre from this month – funded by Northampton Business Improvement District (BID) to tackle retail crime and anti-social behaviour.
The BID, an organisation led by and for businesses in the town centre, is committed to tackling safety and security in Northampton town centre.
Mark Mullen, BID Operations Manager, said: “We are delighted to be funding this additional support – two part time officers who will be working three days a week every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, supporting the BID and our town centre businesses to promote and nurture a safe and secure town centre. The officers will be totally dedicated to Northampton town centre, providing high visibility, reassurance and engagement patrols.
“The officers will provide a valuable and additional presence in our town centre, focussing on hot spot areas, and offering support and a point of contact to resident businesses. They will also carry out and support joint patrols and operations with partners.“
The additional policing will begin on Saturday, 17th October, with Northamptonshire Police working in partnership with other agencies including outreach workers, neighbourhood wardens, community safety and engagement officers.
Another key role for the officers will be to support the BID with its Northampton Town Anti-Social Behaviour Reporting Scheme (NTARS) scheme – a crime and anti-social behaviour intelligence sharing app launched by the BID in partnership with the Northampton Business Crime Partnership (NBCP).
The scheme, which the officers will promote and support, is a bespoke programme designed to enable BID levy paying businesses to collate and share intelligence on anti-social behaviour and ‘low level crime’.
Supt Kevin Mulligan, local policing commander for Northampton, said: “Police officers being visible and accessible, especially in the town centre, is a key component of how I want my team to be linked into communities. It allows us to get right into the very heart of what is concerning business owners, visitors and residents and this initiative allows that to happen, especially during the times we know the town will be at its busiest.”
