Warning!

Police are issuing crime prevention advice after a phone scam continues to affect people in Northamptonshire. 

The phone scam encourages residents to part with bank details including pin numbers and banks cards and police are urging people never to part with this information.

During the scam the offender calls the resident, purporting to be a police officer, investigating a fraud on their bank account, a fraud investigator from a bank or other bank official. They then ask for account information, including their card numbers, security number and pin number.

Police non emergencies & enquiries 101 update

Local people can now report an incident or crime when they call 101.

The Victims’ Voice report identified the lack of an option for people to report an incident or crime when calling the non-emergency number.

In the past callers have been given four options, none of which were to report a crime or incident. 

The phone system has now been changed so there are just three options; if you know the name or extension of the person you wish to speak to, to report a crime or incident and for all other departments and enquiries.

Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds said he welcomed the change, which he hopes will improve the experience of victims and witnesses of crime who are contacting the police.

Legal Highs

POLICE and public health professionals are repeating warnings about ‘legal highs’ following a number of recent incidents in the county.

Three men were found collapsed outside a night club in Northampton town centre last weekend and were taken to hospital. It is believed they had taken a substance identified as a ‘legal high’.

All the men are recovering but the county councillor responsible for public health and well being said that he had serious concerns about the availability and use of new psychotropic drugs.

Councillor Robin Brown said: “The very term ‘legal highs’ could lull people into thinking that these substances are safe and regulated. 

Are you aware?

 Are you aware quite how dangerous getting distracted while driving is?

That's the question that police across Northamptonshire will be asking next week in support of Brake's national Road Safety Week which starts on Monday, November 18. The aim of the initiative is to highlight the risks to all road users - drivers, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians - of being involved in a road traffic collision as a result of being distracted. People can be distracted when using a mobile phone, using headphones, applying make up, eating and drinking.

Sergeant Mark Pointer said: "Driver distraction is a major cause of death and serious injury in the UK. Driving is the most dangerous thing that most of us do on a daily basis and requires full attention, but many drivers have a sense of over-confidence and attempting to multi-task is common."

Alcohol Awareness Week

Northamptonshire Police is supporting this week’s Alcohol Awareness Week, which is aimed at encouraging people to think intelligently about alcohol, and the impact it has on individuals and society. 

As well as the associated health risks, excessive alcohol consumption is linked to 50 percent of violent crime, not to mention family dysfunction and road traffic collisions.

During the week, we will be raising awareness of alcohol related issues in the county and asking people to think about their relationship with drink. We will also be backing Dry January 2014, encouraging people to give up drinking for a month.

Alcohol Awareness

Tis the season

Remembrance Day Parade and Service 2013

The Mayor of Northampton Councillor Leslie Marriott will lead a procession of councillors and town dignitaries from the Guildhall to All Saints' Church as part of this year's Remembrance Day Parade and Service on Sunday 10 November 2013.

The main Parade will form in two parts on the Market Square.  The Northampton Pipe Band will lead the first part of the march to All Saints’ Church at 9.30am and will be followed by the second part led by the Air Training Corps Band at 9.35am.  The Parade will join with the Mayor's procession at All Saints' Church for the Divine Service which starts at 10am.

After the Divine Service the Parade will assemble outside the Memorial Gardens in George Row.  They will be joined by clergy, the choir of All Saints' Church and the Salvation Army Band.  The traditional two minutes silence will begin at 11am at the first stroke of All Saints' clock.  The laying of designated wreaths and the Remembrance Service will then follow.

After the Service, the Parade headed by the Northampton Pipe Band will make its way to the Guildhall to make the Salute before progressing up St Giles Street, into Fish Street and then reaching its final destination in Abington Street.

The Mayor of Northampton Councillor Leslie Marriott said: "Remembrance Sunday is a special day that allows us to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country.  It is also a time for us to think of those injured and of those who are serving our country today.”