Ten extra police officers deployed to Northampton town centre are 'bringing the fight to criminals', according to the sergeant in charge of them.

Operation Lily, Northamptonshire Police’s operation to tackle crime in and around the town centre, started on October 1.

In their first week, the team made 18 arrests for a variety of offences, from anti-social behaviour and shoplifting to possession of drugs with intent to supply and racially aggravated assault, 18 stop searches and 44 alcohol seizures.

Neighbourhood policing Sergeant Becky Izzard said: “By deploying extra resources to the town centre, we are bringing the fight to criminals, and we want them to know that we will not tolerate their behaviour disrupting our law-abiding citizens in Northampton town centre.

“Feedback from the community has already been very positive and traders on the Market Square have noticed a significant decrease in criminal activity.

“I look forward to Operation Lily continuing and bringing in more good results.”

Northampton Borough Council has worked 'long and hard' with Northamptonshire Police to increase presence in the town centre, according to cabinet member for community safety and engagement Anna King.

“For two years now we have paid for additional officers to patrol the town centre during a series of ‘days of action’ which helped demonstrate the extent of the issues we experience," she said.

“The new officers are already making a huge difference and we’re confident their activity will make Northampton town centre a more pleasant place for visitors.”

The victim was in Sheep Street when another man stepped out from the grounds of Holy Sepulchre Church and punched him at around 12.45pm on Tuesday, October 1.

He was pulled into the church grounds, further assaulted and robbed of his phone and a bank card.

Two men, believed to be builders, came over to intervene but were turned away by people with the suspect.

Then at around 1.30pm the following day, the victim was targeted by the same offender in Lower Mounts, who again struck him and took items from his pockets, helped by two other men.

The main suspect in both incidents is described as a white man, aged around 45, 5ft 8in of skinny build, who wore a black beanie hat, black top and trousers.

Anyone who saw either incident or has information about the identity of the suspect, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The underlining loss before tax for the 13-month period ending June 30, 2019 was £2.7m, which was a £0.1m improvement on the previous 12 months.

A rise in operating costs contributed to that, increasing by 5.7 per cent, due, in part, to a higher spend on marquee players and other staff costs.

Total income from season ticket holders and gate receipts was up by 15 per cent, with the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final and final at the Gardens, plus Rob Horne's testimonial at Twickenham, playing a big part in that.

Overall turnover increased by 7.8 per cent, which equates to £1.3m.

And Darbon, who has overseen a plethora of positive changes since arriving in 2017, is upbeat about what the future holds at Franklin's Gardens.

“As you will see from the report and accounts, we are reporting a loss for the third year in succession,” said Darbon.

“While it is important to recognise the club is still operating in a very difficult financial environment – a challenge that faces all Premiership clubs – we believe last season represented significant progress towards securing a sustainable financial future.

“The agreement with private equity firm CVC Capital Partners to purchase a minority shareholding in the league is a very positive development for the club.

"Not only does the deal give Saints a healthy balance sheet, but also allows us to invest, selectively, in the infrastructure at Franklin’s Gardens.

“I am also happy to report that the club continues to show positive financial growth and that revenue and profits are up against last year with most revenue streams growing year-on-year.

“On the field, our new director of rugby, Chris Boyd, made a significant impact from the moment he arrived last summer.

"A fourth-place finish in the Gallagher Premiership and triumph over Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup final represented an excellent start to his tenure.”

Saints, and the other 12 PRL clubs, have received a cash inflow of £12.8m as a result of the CVC investment.

And although that fresh investment has come as a big boost for all, Saints chairman John White says now is not the time to sit back and relax.

"It is important to recognise that the club is still operating in a very difficult financial environment; a challenge that is not unique to Saints but faces all of the Premiership clubs," White said.

"The investment from CVC of course helps and is very welcome, but the club cannot rest on its laurels.

"We must continue to work hard to generate income and build a sustainable model.

"I am happy to report that the club continues to show positive financial growth.

"Revenue and profit are up against last year with most revenue streams growing year-on-year.

"In particular, our non-rugby events department drove significant growth."

Witnesses are being urged to step forward after the man was targetted while walking his dog in Rothersthorpe Road, Far Cotton, at around 10.30pm on September 26.

The man was approached by a car at the roundabout for Hunsbarrow Road/Ringway.

Then, Three men in balaclavas with Birmingham accents got out of the car and threatened the man with a knife before demanding cash.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Club captain Nicky Adams admits the Cobblers ‘let everyone down’ with their first-half performance in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United.

Town laboured out of the traps at Glanford Park and were made to pay as United powered into a 3-0 lead through Lee Novak’s brace and another for Kevin van Veen.

It was always a long way back from there and once striker Vadaine Oliver saw red shortly after half-time, a second successive defeat went from likely to inevitable. 

“It’s not good enough and we don’t accept that as a group,” said Adams. “We let ourselves down, we let the manager and his staff down and we let the fans down – and we don’t hide from that.

“We put the onus on ourselves and it’s not acceptable and it’s not good enough. I was going to put a tweet out after the game but I was just so disappointed with how we performed.

“It’s not like us, especially first-half. In the second-half we showed a bit of fight and a bit of grit with 10 men after Vadaine was wrongly sent off, in my opinion, but it wasn’t acceptable from us.”

At full-time on Saturday Adams went over to the away supporters to apologise for their poor performance. 

“The fans are great,” he added. “I’ve got a brilliant relationship with them and even at the end of the game on Saturday I went over and clapped them because that’s what it’s all about.

“Myself, Charlie (Goode), Macca (Alan McCormack) and a few others said sorry because we know it’s not acceptable, even though we got plaudits for carrying on and trying in the second-half.

“My mate Jamie Proctor said their manager went mad after the game because 10 men popped them off the park but we can’t wait to go 3-0 down to play well. It’s gone now and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Chris Boyd is pleased with how his coaching rotation programme has worked out.

The Saints boss gave each of his four assistants - Alan Dickens, Sam Vesty, Matt Ferguson and Phil Dowson - the chance to take charge of a Premiership Rugby Cup week.

Dickens led the way at Sale Sharks, Vesty in the game against Wasps, Ferguson for the clash with Saracens and Dowson last week at Leicester Tigers.

Saints lost their opening three matches before beating Tigers 31-22 at Welford Road.

They used the Premiership Rugby Cup block as a pre-season period to prepare for this Saturday's Gallagher Premiership opener at Saracens.

And Boyd said: "It's been really good.

"We had four weeks of the PRC and I decided it was an opportunity to give each of the four assistant coaches an opportunity to lead the programme for a week and develop some skills for themselves.

"It's really important for all of them, whether they're trying to hone their skills or develop their man management or overall programming and co-ordination skills.

"It gives them an opportunity in a different environment to grow those skills so I think it's good for the boys to have fresh ideas and fresh voices.

"It's been good all round."

On the performances in the Premiership Rugby Cup, Boyd said: "We've lacked consistency, but that lack of consistency came from some things we probably expected.

"If I go right back to Sale, we had seven debutants for the Saints and five guys who had played fewer than three games for the Saints.

"There was a lot of youth and a lot of exuberance but inexperience in tight situations.

"For us to understand where different players are in their development and them to understand how far or how close they are to being able to compete at that level and levels above has been really good for them.

"For our development and long-term planning it's been crucial.

"For us it got more important as the four-week block went on.

"We had an unbeaten pre-season last season but didn't have anywhere near the level of competition that we did this year.

"It was tough going straight into meaningful games without any (pre-season games).

"We did give everyone a 20-minute hit-out against Leinster so it was tough to approach it, but it's been really good."

Police have appealed for information after vehicle was stolen during a burglary in Finedon.

The incident took place in Mackworth Green, off Laws Lane, when the black Nissan Navara pictured was taken.

A police spokesman said: "The vehicle may be bearing different number plates and the public are asked to report anything suspicious."

Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

After a disappointing start to his Cobblers career, full-back Reece Hall-Johnson has returned from injury with ‘renewed vigour’, according to manager Keith Curle.

Hall-Johnson, a summer signing from Grimsby, started the season as Town’s undisputed right-back but put in a couple of shaky performances in their first two games against Walsall and Port Vale. 

An injury in training then ruled him out for nearly two months and with Curle signing Michael Harriman on a free transfer in the meantime, he returned to full fitness with his place in doubt.

However, the 24-year-old produced an admirable display at centre-back in the absence of captain Charlie Goode against Leyton Orient before starring with a man of the match performance at Cambridge United in last week’s EFL Trophy clash.

Hall-Johnson then got the nod ahead of Harriman at Scunthorpe United on Saturday and although the Cobblers were heavily beaten at Glanford Park, he was the pick of an admittedly below-par back four. 

“Being honest, Reece came in and did very well in pre-season but stuttered at the start of the season, maybe that was nerves, pressure or familiarising himself with the new environment,” said Curle. 

“He didn’t do as well as what I expected and also what he expected. He then had the injury but he’s managed to come back from it very well.

“The initial diagnoses was that he would be out for two and a half or three months but he came back well ahead of schedule and he’s come back with renewed vigour and a good focus about him.

“He’s got a good understanding of where he needs to be, which is pleasing, and the other thing is he does have that adaptability - he can play centre-back or he can play in either of the full-back positions.”

Northampton residents are being given another chance to share their views on the possible formation of a new town council.

Local government is being reorganised in Northamptonshire following the financial crisis at the county council, with two new unitary councils replacing the county and the seven existing district and borough councils in 2021.

It will mean Northampton residents sharing the same authority – West Northamptonshire Council – as those in Daventry, Towcester and Brackley. All those towns already have an existing town council, and Northampton seems intent on following suit.

A second consultation has now started on two new possible outcomes. The first of which would see all current unparished areas in Northampton being covered by the new town council.

The second option contains proposed new ‘community councils’ for Far Cotton & Delapre, Abington & Weston Favell, Northampton East, Boothville & Parklands, and Kingsthorpe. It would also see the boundaries for Duston Parish Council expanded. The proposed Northampton Town Council would then only cover the urban core of Northampton.

The existing parish councils in Billing, Collingtree, Duston, Great Houghton, Hardingstone, Upton, Wootton, East Hunsbury, Hunsbury Meadows and West Hunsbury are retained in both options.

A Town Council may provide a range of services such as tourism; the upkeep of local parks, open spaces, community centres, greens and footpaths; litter and dog waste bins and entertainment and the arts.

Major services such as social services, highways and education would be provided by the new unitary authority.

A previous consultation that was carried out in spring has helped inform the decision to whittle the choices down to two. This new consultation will run until November 8 on the borough council’s website here.

Detectives investigating an incident in which a women sustained serious head injuries are appealing for a cyclist who was riding by at the time to come forward.

Between 4pm and 4.40pm on Sunday, October 6, a woman left a moving green Ford Transit van in Daventry Road, Staverton, which then reversed and struck her, causing serious injuries.

The woman remains in a critical condition in hospital.

A cyclist was seen by witnesses to have been riding past at the time and may have seen the beginning of the incident. On that basis, detectives are very keen to speak to them.

The cyclist or anyone who knows who they might be, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, regarding incident 19000534267.

Christopher Flynn, 42, of Woodford Halse, has been charged with GBH with intent in connection to this incident.

Read more: Attempted murder arrest after woman 'leaves moving van and reversed into' in Northamptonshire

CCTV images of several men police would like to identify have been released after two expensive motorcycles were stolen from a store in Northampton.

Five men used a circular saw to break into a motorcycle store in St James Mill Road sometime between 10.40pm and 11pm on Friday (October 11).

Once inside, they took two motorcycles worth £28,000 – a black and silver Yamaha R1M, registration KY66 PUF, and an unregistered grey Yamaha TMAX.

Both bikes were loaded into the back of a white LDV Maxus panel van, registration RX56 LSU, and driven away.

Anyone who recognises any of the men, has information about the van used or who witnessed the burglary is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The company conducted a poll of 4,000 passengers about how long they had to wait to get through the security scanners at airports across the UK, with the worst airport causing an average delay of 22.3 minutes. These are the worst ranked large and small airports for security wait times.

It has been three years high street giant BHS folded overnight, with the loss of over 11,000 jobs and the closure of every store in the UK.

It left Northampton's store in Abington Street standing empty for nearly two years. Then, in August 2018, developers Oxford London Estates Group bought the former department store for an undisclosed fee.

At the time, company director Roni Chotoveli told the Chronicle and Echo about a "vision" to launch a mixed-use development that could comprise a hybrid of flats, shops and leisure and not let it to "another dying high street brand".

"We are investors and entrepreneurs and we have a vision to regenerate this dilapidated site," said Mr Chotoveli.

"What we are really trying to do is to find local entrepreneurs who either want to run it or co-operate on a joint venture.

“It’s in a very good location and with the right investment, it can be regenerated into something prestigious in the town centre."

But since then, there have been no developments or renovation work at the former store.

The unit reopened its doors five months later as 'Europe's largest Christmas £1 Store', before shutting again on Christmas Eve 2018.

Then, in February, it opened as 'Factory Outlet' - only for "closing down sale" signs to appear in its windows six months later.

Despite displaying "final day sales" for close to a month, "Factory Outlet" closed down in early September this year.

And now, just days after the last store's closure, the unit has reopened as "Fashion Box" and is selling factory outlet clothing.

The Chron spoke to shoppers as they left the new store yesterday (September 16).

"It was a factory outlet before and now it's a factory outlet again," said one resident.

"It still looks the same and sells the same stuff.

"I think it's horrendous. It's better than being empty I suppose but it's almost tragic when you think about it."

Following the opening of Fashion Box, the Chron contacted Mr Chotoveli of Oxford Estate Estates Group to ask what shape his plans had taken a year after purchasing the unit.

Mr Chotoveli refused to comment, and said he had "no updates" for this newspaper.

Meanwhile, according to official papers on Companies House, in June 2019 Mr Chotoveli effectively transferred responsibility for the freehold of the BHS unit from Oxford London Properties Ltd to Oxford London NH1 Ltd - a company for which he is also director and was incorporated in March this year.

Customers at a McDonald's in Northampton helped to raised hundreds of pounds for Ronald McDonald House with a fun-filled Halloween-inspired weekend.

The fast-food restaurant on Kettering Road had face painting, a crew ‘bake-off’, raffles and balloon modelling in fancy dress to celebrate 30 years of supporting the charity on October 12 and 13.

As well as fundraising activities for the Make A Difference Weekend, four new cuddly toys are also on sale in all McDonald’s restaurants.

The toys can be purchased at £2.99 each or four for £10, and each toy sold will result in a minimum donation of £1 to Ronald McDonald House.

Along with McDonald’s on Enstone Court and London Road in Wellingborough, which are ran by the same franchisee, raised £622 for the charity which provides accommodation for families with children in hospital.

Franchisee Perry Akhtar said: “I am incredibly proud that for 30 years McDonald’s restaurant teams, office staff and fellow franchisees have worked tirelessly to raise money, awareness and to volunteer their time for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK to support families with seriously ill children.

"My team often take part in organising events, including hosting an annual golf day for the last 11 years to raise money for the charity, raising nearly £48,000 this year alone.

“However, we do not do it alone. Our customers and their support are instrumental in enabling us to continue to fundraise for such a worthy cause.

"We really appreciate everyone who donated this weekend and if you couldn’t make it, then you can always use our new donate at kiosk facility next time you come in for a meal – it really is that simple to keep families together when their children are in hospital.”

David Cornell started in goal for Town's season-opener against Walsall but he was immediately displaced by summer signing Steve Arnold for the following game with Port Vale.

Arnold suffered an injury on his debut at Vale Park though and has been ruled out ever since, forcing Curle to sign Andrew Fisher on loan from Blackburn Rovers as cover.

Cornell has started the last 11 league games in a row but Arnold came through 45 minutes unscathed in a reserve team friendly on Tuesday and is close to a return to first-team action.

Throw in Fisher, who impressed against Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy recently, and Curle has a tough decision to make.

Speaking last week, he said: "It's a good headache to have. We're organising a game for Tuesday and that's an opportunity for Steve Arnold to get some minutes.

"I thought Andy Fisher did exceptionally well against Cambridge (last Tuesday) and that gives us more competition, which is what we want.

"When players do get an opportunity or when they come into the team, the important thing is to give me the biggest headache possible, which is what you want and that's why they're here for.

"There's no depicted first-team starting XI, there's a squad of players - and it's a smaller squad than last season - that, at a drop of a hat, are all available when fit."

After already racking up three times as many starts as he did last season, Alex Coles is looking forward to what he hopes will be a big breakthrough campaign at Saints.

The lock, who was with England Under-20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship during the summer, is starting to make a name for himself after emerging from the Academy at Franklin's Gardens.

He has started three of the four matches during 2019/20, including earning a place in the second row for last Saturday's superb 31-22 success at Leicester Tigers.

And with Courtney Lawes still away and Api Ratuniyarawa not back in Northampton until next week, Coles is desperate to keep making hay while the sun shines.

"I've been loving my rugby, being involved," Coles said.

"I just hope I've been showing Boydy (Saints boss Chris Boyd) and the coaches that I can do a good job for them and repay their faith in me.

"I've been loving playing as much as I have been.

"I'm not eligible for the England Under-20s this year, which in some ways is a shame but in other ways I can focus fully on Northampton and be here all year.

"Hopefully I can get as many games as possible.

"I'm really focused on trying to earn a place in the team.

"It's a good opportunity for me with Courtney and Api away.

"Hopefully I'll be on the teamsheet later in the season, too."

Having only just turned 20, the future appears so bright for Cambridge-born Coles.

He is highly rated at Saints, and last weekend's mature and influential display against Tigers was another example of why.

"It was my first game at Welford Road, I've not played there in any other competition, so to have one game, one win is really special," Coles said.

"If you look at the history of the club, it's pretty unusual to get a win at Welford Road in your first game, and as a team to get three in a row it's really good.

"A few of the fans came up after and told the team how much it meant to beat Tigers.

"We were really pleased to do that."

But the tasks are only going to get tougher, with one of the toughest of them all lying in wait at Allianz Park this weekend.

"Saracens are obviously a really good team and in terms of a game to start the Premiership with, there aren't many tougher," Coles said.

"We're really excited about the challenge and as a group we're pretty ready for it.

"You can't go there and think they're already five or 10 points up.

"You've got to think you can beat them and you've got to relish the challenge."

Coles has been working hard on his strength during the summer and is savouring the words of wisdom given to him by the Saints coaches.

"They're a really good bunch of coaches and their analysis is exceptional," he said.

"One of the things I've been working on is based around my collision work.

"I've been grafting pretty hard in the gym, trying to put on a few kilos to make sure I'm more dominant in the tackle and the carry.

"In terms of lineout as well, it's about being a calling option.

"Those are my big work-ons."

As templates go, Coles couldn't have a much better one than fellow Saints second row forward Courtney Lawes, another product of the Northampton Academy.

"I remember watching him back when I was much younger and thinking it's pretty awesome to be a second row and play like he does," Coles said.

"I love how mobile and effective he is around the pitch.

"I'm trying to take inspiration from him and when he's at the club I take knowledge from him."

African Muslim mother Ayan was spat at and called a terrorist in a racist tirade while trying to park her car with her children in the back.

While Sami was verbally abused for being transgender by a group of men who recorded the incident on their mobile phones.

The pair hope to raise awareness of hate crime and highlight the impact it has on victims in the videos released by Northamptonshire Police.

Ayan said: "I don't want this hate crime to go around between us as we are a loving, lovely community and let's share the love rather than hate."

Ayan was just waiting for a space in a car park in the town centre when a man punched her window, so she opened it and he spat in her face.

He then started shouting and screaming racist remarks at her: "All the worst words you can ever imagine."

She tried to calm him down, asking him to stop as her children were in the back seats of her car, but he refused until he walked back to his car and drove off.

"It was the worst thing that I've ever seen. To punch my car and spit in my face, I was not expecting any of this and I could see his frustration that if I got out, he might have done more," she said.

Sami was near All Saints Church in November last year when a group of men passed her in a car, but then came back and started abusing her.

"They were shouting some language that actually might have been more offensive to other people that were around me than me," she said.

Sami said she was not happy with how she reacted by shouting back at them but she was less confident back then - she now feels sympathy for her attackers.

"Many of those making the most noise, they're the ones that are most in fear, and quite often they're just trying to prove something," she said.

When asked what advice she would give to hate crime victims, Sami recommended writing down or recording their feelings or talk to someone to 'get it out'.

A third video was also recorded by police about Richard, who was born with Down’s syndrome, who shared his experience alongside his mother, Rachel, of moving into a new home and being targeted for his disability.

The theme of this year’s Hate Crime Awareness Week is ‘hope’, which is being shared in Northamptonshire through a series of events to raise awareness of hate crime, explain what it is and how it is being tackled, and encourage people to report it.

Chief Constable Nick Adderley said: “It’s really important to me, and to our communities, that we take as much positive action as we can to tackle hate crime by providing support to victims and to help find and prosecute those responsible.

“There’s no place in society for prejudice, and there’s no place for hatred. As a Force we will push hard to root out all forms of prejudice and hate, working with partners and residents to support and create inclusive communities. I’m proud to take part in National Hate Crime Awareness Week and to continue to promote the work we do in the communities we serve.

“I would like to reiterate to the public, incidents of hate crime should not, and will not, be tolerated, and I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of hate crime to come forward and report it.”

Hate crime and hate incidents can be reported to:

Police - 101 or 999 in an emergency

True Vision - report-it.org.uk

Any local council

Support is available for victims of hate crime via;

Voice – 0300 303 1965

Northamptonshire Rights and Equality Council – 01604 400808

Northampton Interfaith Forum - 07757 020346

Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire - 01604 637522

Disability Resource Centre Bedfordshire - 01582 470 900

Find more information on hate crime and hate incidents here.

Cobblers will learn their first-round opponents in this year's Emirates FA Cup when the draw takes place next week - that is if they play anyone at all.

The draw is being held next Monday, October 21, at around 7.10pm live on BBC 2.

And this season one club will receive a bye to round two of the competition when the first-round draw is made following Bury's removal from the competition.

The Shakers were expelled from both the English Football League and the FA Cup in August, which means the 47 remaining League One and League Two clubs will join 32 non-league outfits in the first round in November.

The final club left in the pot during the draw will receive the bye and that club will also be awarded the £36,000 prize money for a first-round winner.

The most recent incident of a EFL club not competing in the FA Cup was in 2000 when Manchester United pulled out due to the FIFA Club World Championships in Brazil. A lucky losers system was introduced instead of awarding a team a bye.

In that year, with an odd number of teams involved in the third-round draw, Darlington were selected at random from the 20 sides who had been knocked out in the second round and lost 2-1 at Aston Villa.

Vadaine Oliver will be available for Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two fixture with Salford City after Cobblers won their appeal to overturn his sending off against Scunthorpe United.

Oliver had been facing a three-game suspension after he was shown a straight red card for colliding with Scunthorpe goalkeeper Rory Watson in the second-half of Saturday’s game.


But Cobblers appealed the decision on Monday and the FA have confirmed they’ve been successful, which means Oliver will be in contention when Town host Salford this weekend.


Manager Keith Curle said: “I think the referee’s initial reaction was that it was a challenge but then I think he got affected by seeing blood on the player and made the wrong decision in my opinion.


“It’s honest decision made by the referee and I think the cut on the goalkeeper showed he was brave and prepared to go in where it hurt.


“But the bang on the head he took might have been slightly less than the bang on the head that I would have given Vadaine had he not gone for it!”

Police are today searching an area of Northampton after being tipped off that criminals may have hidden guns and drugs.

The search is part of Operation Viper, the crackdown by Northamptonshire Police on serious organised crime.

Led by specialist search experts, the teams are searching in the Blackthorn area for illegally held weapons including firearms and drugs which may have been hidden by criminals.

The searches are being carried out based on information received from within local communities regarding the caching of these items in easily-accessed areas of land.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee McBride, who leads on Operation Viper for the force, said: “Today’s searches are all intelligence-led to try to locate weapons or drugs.

“As well as posing a risk to those who may inadvertently and innocently come across them, these items both enable and incite serious violence that we as a force will not tolerate.

“There have been two shootings in the wider area in the past year, with these incidents illustrating just how important it is that we do all we can to take illegal firearms out of circulation in order to protect people from harm.

“Our work today shows no stone will be left unturned as we pursue those involved in serious organised crime. Our message to those who have access to these items is that we know where and how you may try to hide them, and we will find them and we will take action against you over them.

“To our communities, I hope these searches illustrate that we act on the information you provide to us. Thank you for telling us what you know, and be reassured that we use that intelligence to take the fight to the criminals proactively and robustly.

“If you have any information at all that could help us, please report it directly to the Force by calling 101, or let the independent charity Crimestoppers know anonymously by calling 0800 555111.”

Tackling serious organised crime, including serious violence and drug-related activity, is a priority for Northamptonshire Police. Read more about Operation Viper here.