CRIME connected to Northampton town centre’s weekend night-time economy is falling, according to new data from incidents reported to Northamptonshire Police.
The total amount of crime reported between 5pm and 5am on Fridays and Saturdays fell by 5%. Criminal damage incidents were down by 60% and cases of violence resulting in injury reduced by 40%.
The figures have been shared by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District during Purple Flag Month which celebrates cities and towns like Northampton that have secured the Purple Flag status from the Association of Town and City Management.
It awards Purple Flag status to places offering a safe, welcoming environment and a diverse mix of dining and entertainment between the hours of 5pm and 5am. Northampton has held Purple Flag status since 2018.
Its application this year was funded by the BID. Operations manager Mark Mullen pictured left said: “Achieving this accreditation is no easy feat and it is heartening to see that the multitude of proactive projects that are running in the town centre to keep people safe are having a positive impact on the area’s crime figures.
“Northampton’s night life has so much to offer and it is wonderful to see our town centre has become even safer for everyone over the past year.”
Activities aimed at tackling town centre crime include Northamptonshire Police’s Nightsafe Operation, Operation Kayak, which tackles predatory behaviour, and patrols by Street Pastors and Northampton Guardians.
Six new emergency help points linked to the town’s CCTV control room were set up last year. This year the Cops Adopt a Shop programme has relaunched and Community Action Days have taken place to promote safety items and advice to the public.
Northampton Town Centre BID and Northampton Business Crime Partnership also run the Northampton Town Anti-Social Behaviour Reporting Scheme which enables levy paying businesses to share intelligence on anti-social behaviour and ‘low level’ crime with one another and the police.
The details of 108 known offenders are currently logged on the NTARS system, allowing business owners to be alert to potential troublemakers in the town centre.
