A six-month operation launched in March to tackle anti-social behaviour in Daventry has yielded positive results, say Northamptonshire Police.

Last week two Misuse of Drugs Act warrants were carried out on the Headlands and Timken estates, linked to suspects believed to be involved in anti-social behaviour in the town.

Both were successful and a quantity of cannabis and Class A drugs were seized. In addition, four people, aged 14, 15, 18 and 23, were arrested.

One has since been charged, two were given cautions and PADS (Prevention and Diversion) orders and an adult was also given a caution.

PC Francesca Smith, who is leading the operation, said: “The operation to tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour in the town will cover the summer holidays when there is typically a rise in reported incidents.

“My team is committed to tracking down anybody engaged in behaviour which can make others’ lives a misery and to ensuring Daventry is a pleasant and safe place to live and work.”

The targeted police operation is ongoing.

The Tories will renew a pledge to hold a free vote on overturning the ban on fox hunting, Theresa May told voters last night.

Speaking during a tour of the Leeds factory, the Prime Minister said she was in favour of the outlawed activity but MPs would be given the final say.

David Cameron had promised to put the divisive issue to Parliament but did not go ahead with the plan due to a lack of support.

Mrs May said: “This is a situation on which individuals will have one view or the other, either pro or against.

“As it happens, personally I have always been in favour of fox hunting, and we maintain our commitment, we have had a commitment previously as a Conservative Party, to allow a free vote.

“It would allow Parliament the opportunity to take the decision on this.”

The Prime Minister was speaking during a visit to Morley, a marginal constituency where Conservative Andrea Jenkyns snatched the seat from Labour’s Ed Balls just two years ago by just 422 votes.

Mrs May took questions from workers on everything from NHS funding to the impact of Brexit, and helping young people get on the housing ladder to high childcare costs.

The Q&A was in stark contrast to Mrs May’s last trip to Leeds less than two weeks ago, after which she faced criticism for not engaging directly with ordinary voters.

Asked why she had chosen to visit Leeds again so soon, she said: “I’ve got a very simple message. Every single vote in this election counts. Every vote for me and my team will strengthen my hand in the Brexit negotiations to get the right deal for Britain from Europe.

“Every vote counts, every person counts and every community counts. So I’m very pleased to be back in Yorkshire, and you never know, you might see me back again before June 8.”

Among the questions put to Mrs May by factory staff was concern about high childcare costs affecting working families.

“Jeremy Corbyn says he will put (minimum) wages up to £10. That’s the only thing that’s going to help us out,” one worker told Mrs May.

The PM responded that “extra support” was now available for families, but acknowledged that “we have to ask ourselves whether it is having the impact we want it to have”.

She added: “This is why it’s so important to have a Government that ensures you have a good economy.

“Whatever Jeremy Corbyn says about the levels he would like to see pay being at, the plans he has got would wreck the economy. Absolutely fundamental to everything is making sure we get the health of the economy right.”

Speaking earlier in the day, Mrs May also put her renewed backing behind a drive to tackle ‘fake news’. She stressed the importance of real journalism and said a free press was one of the “important pillars of our democracy”.

They are 'sick to death' of the smell lingering in the shop and the drain can even be smelled from the Cobbler's stadium in Sixfields.

Now, after several attempts to rod the sewers around the Sainsbury's supermarket in Gambrel Road, off Weedon Road, residents want to know who is responsible so something can be done.

John Wright, a shopper at the Sainsbury's who worked as a building control officer for Northampton Borough Council for 30 years, said: "The smell has been going on for six or more months now and no one seems able to fix it.

"The manhole cover sometimes flows over with foul-smelling effluent, and shoppers don't realise they could be walking in this and tracking it into the shop. The smell lingers around the tills and some days even reaches the back of the store.

"I'm a retired engineer and I inspected sewers for the borough council for years. In my day, a broken or backed up sewer would be sorted within a week, if not on the same day."

John has written to Northampton Borough Council several times and has taken to Facebook to hear gather residents' complaints.

One shopper he spoke to said: "We went there last week. Parked up, got out of the car, only to get straight back in the car and go to Aldi. The stench was awful."

Many shoppers also voiced concerns about the risk of germs and food contamination.

Ward councillor for the St James area Rufia Ashraf said: "I've been down to the Sainsbury's myself and can say that there is a dreadful stench in Gambrel Road. I will be making enquiries to have this problem sorted as soon as possible."

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re working with property managers and engineers to resolve the issue outside the store. The drains are being repaired this week. We apologise for the inconvenience while we address this."

Cllr Mike Hallam, the Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “We are aware of the drainage issues in the Gambrel Road area. We are continuing to monitor the situation and Anglian Water has been made aware of the matter and will be sending someone out to investigate.

"Food safety officers have visited the site and found no evidence of food contamination.”

A teenager from Northampton arrested following a crash which killed two men and hospitalised two other people, has been released on police bail.

Officers were called at just gone 2am on Sunday, May 7, to reports of the collision involving two cars on the A605 at Elton.

It is believed there were four people in one of the cars, however only three were accounted for at the time. Sadly two of the occupants, both men, died at the scene and a woman remains in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Police launched a search for the fourth person and arrested a 19-year-old man on two counts of death by dangerous driving and one count of serious injury by dangerous driving.

He is being treated for serious injuries in hospital. He has today, been released on police bail until August 1.

Formal identification has not yet taken place so police are unable to name the two people who died at this time.

The road was closed in both directions between Haddon services and Elton for 18 hours before reopening yesterday evening.

Anyone with information about the collision is asked to contact the road policing unit on 101 quoting incident 55 of May 7.

Jim Mallinder believes Saints are getting a player of real potential after signing loosehead prop Francois van Wyk from Super Rugby side Western Force.

The 25-year-old will move to Franklin's Gardens this summer, having impressed the Saints coaches during his 12 appearances for the Force.

Van Wyk is South African born and represented hometown club Western Province, having come through the academy setup in Cape Town.

He made the switch to Perth in 2014 and has been a powerful presence for Western Force, utilising his 17st 13lb frame to full effect.

He will now move to Saints, where he will provide competition for Alex Waller and Campese Ma'afu, filling the void left by Ethan Waller, who is off to Worcester Warriors.

And Mallinder said: “We’ve been impressed with what we’ve seen from Francois in Super Rugby over the past couple of seasons.

“He’s a strong scrummager and still relatively young for a front row forward.

“We believe that Francois has plenty of potential to continue improving and are pleased that he will be joining us at Franklin’s Gardens next season.”

Van Wyk is the Saints’ sixth signing for next season, joining Rob Horne, Cobus Reinach, Piers Francis, Jamal Ford-Robinson and Mitch Eadie in penning deals with the club.

Mark Merchant, 40, escaped at about 9.20pm on Thursday, May 4, and is known to frequent Northampton and the Croydon area of London and is still at large, a spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police said.

He had been in prison for committing arson recklessly, harassment and common assault.

But Merchant had been jailed in 2007 for brandishing a 15 ins machete as he chased a group of youths from Victoria Gardens, Northampton, to Bridge Street.

He is white, of a slim build, around 6ft 3ins tall, with short brown hair, blue eyes and has a scar on his forehead above his left eye and has a Northamptonshire accent.

When he was last seen he was wearing a grey jumper, black Adidas jogging bottoms with three stripes down the side and white Nike trainers.

Investigating officer Det Con Rachel Huggins, based at Aylesbury police station, said: “We are carrying out a thorough investigation to find Mark Merchant and as part of this investigation we are appealing to the public to come forward with any information they have.

“If you know where Merchant is or if you see him please call police on 999.

“We do not believe Merchant poses a threat to the public, however, please do not approach him instead contact police immediately.

“If you see or know where Merchant is please call 999, or call 101 with any other information quoting reference URN 19 05/05.

“If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

The Crown Prosecution Service will not be taking any action following investigations by police forces across the country, including Northamptonshire, over spending on an election "battle bus".

The battle bus visited the Northampton North constituency ahead of the General Election in 2015 to support the campaign by Michael Ellis.

A nationwide investigation was launched after complaints in relation to how the expenditure was declared by the national Conservative Party. Mr Ellis consistently denied any wrong-doing and said the local association was following the national party's guidelines.

Today, the CPS said no further action would be taken following the investigation.

Nick Vamos, CPS head of special crime, said: "We have considered files of evidence from 14 police forces in respect of allegations relating to Conservative Party candidates' expenditure during the 2015 General Election campaign.

"We considered whether candidates and election agents working in constituencies that were visited by the Party's 'Battle Bus' may have committed a criminal offence by not declaring related expenditure on their local returns. Instead, as the Electoral Commission found in its report, these costs were recorded as national expenditure by the Party.

"We reviewed the files in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and have concluded the tests in the Code are not met and no criminal charges have been authorised.

"The Representation of the People Act makes it a technical offence for an election agent to fail to deliver a true return. By omitting any 'Battle Bus' costs, the returns may have been inaccurate. However, it is clear agents were told by Conservative Party headquarters that the costs were part of the national campaign and it would not be possible to prove any agent acted knowingly or dishonestly. Therefore we have concluded it is not in the public interest to charge anyone referred to us with this offence."

In response, Conservative Party Chairman Patrick McLoughlin said: "After a very thorough investigation, we are pleased that the legal authorities have confirmed what we believed was the case all along: that these Conservative candidates did nothing wrong. These were politically motivated and unfounded complaints that have wasted police time. We are glad that this matter is finally resolved.

"A number of false and malicious claims continue to be spread on the internet. People should be aware that making false claims about a candidate's personal character and conduct is an electoral offence, as well as being defamatory.

"Notwithstanding these false claims, Conservatives want to strengthen election rules to safeguard electoral integrity - in light of the real and proven cases of electoral fraud exposed in Tower Hamlets in 2015."

Mr Ellis, who is Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North in next month's General Election, said: "My focus has been, and continues to be, the people of Northampton North, and doing everything I can to ensure a Conservative victory in Northampton North."

Witnesses are being sought following a theft from a building site in Corby.

Between 7.30pm and 8.45pm on Monday (May 8), offenders in a Renault Traffic van got into the building site after cutting the chain to the gate in Gainsborough Road.

A police spokesman said building materials were taken.

One of the offenders is described as wearing a grey tracksuit and an Adidas jumper and with his face covered.

Witnesses can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A 53-year-old man from Northampton has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a woman in St Giles churchyard.

Detectives launched an investigation following reports of the assault at around 8.30pm on Monday, May 8.

Police taped off the entrances to the churchyard at St Giles Church yesterday morning.

A force spokeswoman has now confirmed that a man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault yesterday and remains in custody.

Traffic is still backing up along a main Northampton ring road after a car and a lorry collided earlier today.

The crash, between the two vehicles opposite the Rothersthorpe Road junction on Danes Camp Way at around 1pm, led to a diesel spillage.

Firefighters attended the scene to clear up the fuel spill, but the lorry was left blocking part of the carriageway.

Traffic along Danes Camp Way is still backing up towards Hunsbury Hill in the eastbound direction.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue left the scene shortly before 4pm.

The Steelbacks saw their Royal London One-Day Cup hopes go up in smoke as the Vikings produced a ruthless bowling performance.

Northants were reduced to 11 for four early on and were eventually dismissed for just 136, which was 16 runs fewer than Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance made earlier.

Ballance steered his side out of choppy waters after a couple of wickets from Ben Sanderson had the Vikings rocking on 73 for four.

The away side eventually finished on 300 for six as Ballance blasted an unbeaten 152, with Matthew Waite (43) and Adil Rashid (41) adding useful runs.

Rory Kleinveldt had returned from injury to play his first One-Day Cup game of the season, but his one for 61 with the ball and 31 with the bat was nowhere near enough.

Graeme White was the pick of the bunch for the Steelbacks with two for 37 before he top scored with 40 from 26 balls.

But the game was close to its conclusion by then and Northants bowed out of the competition having won just one of their opening six matches.

“We’ve had patches throughout the competition of good cricket but when we’ve been bad we’ve been pretty bad," Steelbacks head coach Ripley said.

"The 113 runs in the last 10 overs (of Yorkshire's innings) was an exceptionally high amount of runs to concede.

“It took something exceptional to post something probably only just above par and at half-time I thought we could still win, but it was a pretty dismal batting display."

Eric Herminie, of Newham Road, off Eastern Avenue North, St David's, Northampton, has been charged with three counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault in relation to a single incident on May 8.

Chairman of the bench Amanda Robinson said there was no bail application.

Herminie - who appeared in court clean shaven with close-cropped hair and wearing a black leather jacket over a grey sweatshirt - was remanded in custody and will appear at Northampton Crown Court next month.

Detectives launched an investigation following reports of an alleged sexual assault in the St Giles churchyard, in St Giles Terrace, Northampton, shortly before 9.30pm on May 8 (Monday).

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The girls at Curves Northampton now have two Chron trophies to display at their circuits gym in Moulton Park Business Centre, off Red House Road.

They say they owe their success to "a personal touch" with their customers.

Owner Orla Walsh, 40, who runs Curves with her sister, said: "It's wicked to win for the second year in a row.

"We know all our members and what's going on in their lives, from our youngest, aged 24, to our oldest, who's 88.

"I owe our success to my wonderful staff and their hard work. Thank you to all our members for voting for us."

Orla took over Curves Northampton in August 2015.

Orla's sister Claire Fitzpatrick, 35, who also works at the gym, said: "There were existing customers here when we arrived over but the ladies have really taken us on.

"I would call them friends really."

Curves Northampton is open between 8.30am and 7.30pm on weekdays and 8.30am and 7.30pm on Saturdays.

Orla said: "I guess it's straight on to the next competition I suppose, and try and win three years in a row."

Casey Edwards was two days short of his 18th birthday when he convinced a man selling a motocross bike through a Facebook forum to meet him at a house in Bellropes Square, Ecton Brook.

But Northampton Crown Court heard how the youth, of Ruskin Road, Kingsthorpe, used a fake name to set up the transaction as he intended to rob the 20-year-old victim of his £2,000 bike.

Shortly after discussing a test drive at the house on February 17 this year, Edwards disappeared temporarily and returned with a Lucozade Sport bottle filled with acid.

He then threw it over the bike owner and the victim's two friends he had brought to the deal for support.

Handing him a six-year sentence, half of which will be served in prison, recorder Christopher Tickle, said: "I am satisfied that this is the most serious incident you can imagine with terrible outcomes.

"There was a group of you and plainly you were the protagonist in that group.

The injuries to one of the friends' eye and face were reasonably temporary in nature, the judge added.

But the bike owner himself will need surgery to save his eyesight, the court heard.

"The injury was described by him as 'life-changing'," said recorder Tickle.

"He may lose the sight in one eye and at the moment it does not look good for him."

Prosecuting, Victoria Rose said the defendant was adamant that he wanted to ride the bike, but the seller did not want him to do this.

She said: "The defendant left with another male he was with and went into the house to get the money.

"All the young lads were concerned at this point.

"The defendant returned after 10 minutes and started to dispute the delivery charge."

Edwards pulled out a Lucozade Sport bottle, squirted it in the victim's face and the face of the two other lads.

"The defendant grabbed the bike and tried to run off with it," Victoria Rose added.

The victim "was sprayed again, he was in extreme agony, he could not see."

"He was screaming in pain 'I can't see, I can't see'."

One of the victim's friends rushed to call the police for help and all three men were quickly taken to the hospital to receive treatment.

Edwards could have faced at least 12 years in prison had he been an adult at the time of the incident on February 17.

However, as he was classed as a youth his term was capped lower.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing.

But defending for him, Derek Johashen said Edwards has been racked with guilt since the incident and has even penned a letter to his victims to say sorry.

Reading the contents of the letter out in court, Mr Johashen said: "'I'm incredibly sorry for my actions towards you guys.

"'If I could turn back time, I would.

"'I understand I will and must be punished.

"'I will also have a long time to reflect on what I've done'."

On April 30 at 5.35am police were called to 'Moldova' off Great Russell Street to reports of "extremely loud music coming from the [former] Soundhaus building."

A concerned caller told police that he thought the building was not in use and "persons may have gained entry illegally in order to play music," incident logs submitted to Northampton Borough Council licensing department say.

A licensing hearing is set to take place tomorrow to rule whether there should be stricter timing guidance on future events.

Councillor Mike Hallam, the borough council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “A number of temporary event applications for Moldova, Great Russell Street have been received for events during three weekends in May.

"Due to concerns about possible public nuisance these events may cause, a hearing has been called on May 11 between the licensing sub-committee and the organisers to consider these applications.”

Four Temporary Events Notices (TEN) conditions have been put forward by police.

They read: 'A fully working and maintained system capable of recording and storing images must be installed on the premises. The system must record at all times when the premises is open to the public and images must be stored for a minimum of 28 days with date and time stamping.

'Customers must not take open vessels of alcohol from the premises at any time.

'No children under the age of 16 will be allowed to enter or remain on the premises after 2am.

The venue is scheduled to be used for weddings and other events three times in May.

An additional condition has also been suggested for the night of Saturday, May 27.

'After 11pm a minimum of two licensed door supervisors must be employed'.

The Old Bank pub on St Giles Square is playing host to Greene King’s ‘Live at Your Local’ music talent competition.

Qualifying artists will get the chance to perform live at the Old Bank, before heading to the first round heats and regional finals.

Anna Brewer, the general manager at the Old Bank, said: “Pubs are the traditional home of music, playing a part in launching the careers of some of the world’s biggest artists - from the Arctic Monkeys and Ed Sheeran to U2 and Elton John.

“We know that Northampton has got some serious talent, and we can’t wait to hear what local singing sensations have to offer.”

As well as playing in the final at the Indigo live music venue at the O2 London and receiving £5,000, the overall winner will be given their weight in beer and a day in a recording studio; the winner’s track will also be added to the playlist of more than 1,000 Greene King pubs.

To enter, local musicians simply need to pick up an application at the Old Bank throughout May before the competition kicks off at the start of June.

Application forms can also be collected from Rose & Crown in Rushden and White Elephant on Kingsley Park Terrace, who are also participating in the competition.

For further information about Greene King’s ‘Live at Your Local’, simply visit: www.greeneking.co.uk/music, or call the Old Bank on 01604 239534.

The Cytringan Players bring you Yasmina Reza’s darkly comic play about adults behaving badly.

The group perform God of Carnage at The Castle Theatre in Wellingborough from Tuesday May 16 to Saturday May 20.

Two outwardly civilised couples, tiptoeing around their mutual dislike of each other, meet to sort out a playground punch-up: “Our son picked up a stick and hit your son. That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”

At first, diplomatic niceties are observed over coffee and cake, but the rum chasers fuel the tensions between and among the couples and their behaviour degenerates into something much worse than children.

The London production of God of Carnage , first performed in 2008, was widely acclaimed, receiving the Olivier Award for Best New Play of the year.

It went on to win Tony Awards for its Broadway production.

A spokesman for the group said: “The Cyts are very pleased to present this bitingly funny play of bad manners and domestic disharmony.”

The group who’s name is based on the ancient name for Kettering, have been going for the past 80 years and has seen a number of amateurs perform on average two shows each year.

Performances start at 8pm each night.

Tickets for the show cost £10, with concessions available on Tuesday and Wednesday.

For more details call 01933 270007 or www.castletheatre.co.uk

A 53-year-old man has been charged with raping a woman in a Northampton churchyard.

Eric Herminie, aged 53, from Northampton, is set to appear at Northampton Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday, May 11).

Detectives launched an investigation following reports of an alleged sexual assault in St Giles’ churchyard, Northampton shortly before 9.30pm on Monday, 8 May.

Updates to follow.

Hackney Colliery Band bring their UK tour to The Stables on Friday night.

Influenced as much by the world of contemporary rock and electronica as jazz and global brass, the band’s line-up features trumpets, trombones, saxes, sousaphone and two drummers.

Their third album Sharpener was released last year and went straight in at number three on the jazz charts and number 14 on the independent music charts. A live album is being released on Friday.

Hackney Colliery Band have had a phenomenal few years.

From playing a 45-minute set at the Closing Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and sets at the MOBO, Brit and Mercury Awards to live sessions on BBC Two, BBC Radio 2, Jazz FM and worldwide airplay from many more.

They’ve previously collaborate with Amy Winehouse and Jamie Cullum and sold out clubs across Europe.

Sharpener follows the success of their 2013 album Common Decency and 2010’s eponymous debut album.

The Hackney Colliery Band headline The Stables in Wavendon on Friday, May 12.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £18.50 before fees.

Visit www.stables.org to book and www.hackneycollieryband.co.uk for more details.

Lauded by both Johnny Depp and Joe Perry, Brooklyn based Shubaly plays bass for Freshkills and is on tour with an indistinguishable mash of comedy, vitriol and despair - occasionally set to music.

After receiving an expensive MFA from Columbia University, Shubaly quit writing to play music.

He lived out of a Toyota minivan for a year, touring nonstop and has shared the stage with artists like The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and The Decemberists.

His three Kindle Singles for Amazon have all been bestsellers.

He writes true stories about drink, drugs, disasters, desire, deception and their aftermath.

His work has been praised for its grit, humor, fearlessness and heart.

The Long Run, his mini-memoir detailing his transformation from alcoholic drug abuser to sober ultrarunner is one of the best-selling Kindle Singles to date.

Shubaly plays at Run Your Tongue at The Three Cocks Inn in Kettering on Friday, May 12.

Support is by Alex Gardner.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £7 and are available in advance via www.ents24.com

For more details, visit www.facebook.com/shubaly.mishka