A total of 48 Northamptonshire Police officers were investigated after allegations of misconduct last year, latest figures have shown.

As part of a move to improve transparency, Northamptonshire Police has announced plans to publish details of all internal misconduct hearings carried out by the force.

The figures will be published on its website every three months.

During 2013, the professional standards department formally investigated 81 allegations of misconduct by 48 police officers and 33 members of staff.

In 21 of these cases it was found there was no case to answer and 31 of the allegations were dealt with through management action.

Eight cases resulted in a misconduct meeting and 21 cases were assessed as amounting to gross misconduct. Three special constables and two members of staff subject to an allegation resigned during the course of the investigation, and prior to a formal hearing.

The details of the misconduct hearings reveal that eight members of staff were dismissed without notice.

One police officer was found guilty of a neglect of duty, one misused force systems and another made inappropriate comments about colleagues and used social media inappropriately.

Another member of staff was dismissed for falsifying an application form, another for inappropriate behaviour towards colleagues and two people were sacked for falsifying information relating to an incident.

One member of staff was given a final written warning after he “struck a colleague” while at work.

Another member of staff was given a written warning for an inappropriate posting on Twitter.

Detective Superintendent Jan Meagher, head of the professional standards department, said she hoped the publication of the misconduct allegations would help build public confidence in the force.

She said: “Northamptonshire Police fully support the ongoing work to promote public confidence in the police service’s ability to robustly deal with misconduct.

“In doing so, we will now publish on a quarterly basis anonymised outcomes of misconduct meetings and misconduct hearings, including those cases where officers and staff leave the force prior to the conclusion of an investigation for matters assessed as gross misconduct or who leave the force prior to a hearing where a case to answer has been established.

“The benefits of proactive publication of this information include enhanced public transparency of local conduct matters and a reduction in the impact of administration of Freedom of Information Act requests for such data.”

Northamptonshire Police currently has 1,287 police officers, 124 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), 996 other members of police staff and 263 special constables.

During 2013, the force dealt with more than 200,000 reported incidents and investigated more than 41,400 crimes, which led to 13,505 arrests.

A 12-year-old girl was pulled to the floor and kicked by a teenage boy in an alleyway in Northampton.

The girl was walking along the alleyway that joins Stanhope Road with Balmoral Road on Thursday, February 13, shortly after 4pm, when she heard someone shouting to her. She turned and saw a teenage boy walking towards her.

After a short conversation, the boy grabbed the girl’s hair, pulled her to the floor and kicked her. The girl screamed and the boy ran away, turning right down Balmoral Road.

The attacker is described as white, about 5ft 5in, with a medium build and aged 14-15 years old. He was carrying a purple drawstring bag and spoke with an Eastern European accent.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A couple from Northamptonshire have lost their High Court fight against extradition to the US over an alleged work expenses fraud.

Paul and Sandra Dunham, who live in the south of the county, have been pursued by the US Department of Justice over a claim they embezzled more than one million US dollars (£605,000) in illegitimate expense claims.

The pair “vehemently” deny the claims, and say the matter should never have become a criminal case.

Until 2010, Mr Sunham was chief executive, president and 20 per cent shareholder of PACE, a US company manufacturing soldering irons for the electronics industry.

Eric Siegel, the son of PACE founder, the late William Siegel, is pursuing the pair over alleged improperly claimed expenses arising from their relocation from the UK to Maryland.

The Dunhams reject the allegations, claiming all expense payments they received were properly accounted for and approved by Mr Siegel personally, as well as the company’s finance director, and were also subject to the external auditors’ scrutiny on an annual basis.

However, an untested criminal complaint filed in Maryland has caused the couple personal bankruptcy and mental distress.

Mr Dunham said: “We’ve been totally let down. Neither our government nor courts can see the injustice of sending innocent British citizens thousands of miles away to be jailed pre-trial without having examined a shred of evidence in the case.

“Without the Supreme Court or Europe’s intervention, we’re yesterday’s people. Our lives are shattered. The cruelty of this injustice is too much to bear.

“Unless someone intervenes at the 11th hour, we’ve lost our wealth, health, liberty and, likely, our lives – all due to one man’s vindictiveness and the complicity of our extradition legislation.

“It’s a monumentally sad day for Sandra and me, and for those who follow us on this conveyor-belt to the US.”

Michael Evans, of Kaim Todner Ltd, the Dunhams’ solicitor, said: “There were two simple steps the courts could have taken to relieve some of the suffering from my clients – refusing their extradition until the eve of trial, and insisting on a guarantee of bail on arrival until judgment.

“Sadly, the court has seen fit to ignore both options. The High Court found that it is “clear” the Dunhams would not get pre-trial bail; that the detention facility regime is plainly “harsh” and that the treatment of Mr Dunham’s mental health might be unsatisfactory.

“Nonetheless the court considered the considerable damage to the Dunhams caused by their extradition to be a price worth paying in order to honour our US treaty obligations. Yet again, the 2003 Extradition Act has a brutal effect.”

A murderer could have been arrested before he bludgeoned a man to death with a brick if Northamptonshire Police had carried out a more thorough investigation into robbery and burglary allegations against him, an IPCC investigation has found.

Phillip Haslam, aged 36, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Northampton Crown Court in September 2012 after he was found guilty of the murder of John Kiernan, aged 62, in Kettering.

The jury heard how Mr Kiernan was ‘hogtied’, gagged with a pair of socks and repeatedly struck with a brick, in order to force him to sign a £90 cheque to fund Haslam’s addiction to heroin.

Mr Kiernan’s decomposing body was not discovered until October 1, two weeks after he was killed.

An IPCC investigation has found that two police officers had a case to answer for gross misconduct for failing to carry out an adequate investigation into a robbery that Haslam was suspected of carrying out in Kettering on September 1.

Investigators found that an intelligence report submitted on September 14, 2011, that implicated Philip Haslam as a suspect for the September 1 robbery, was not acted on until September 27, eight days after Mr Kiernan was killed.

IPCC investigators found officers failed to carry out any house to house enquiries, or accurately record information throughout the investigation into the September 1 robbery.

Police also failed to identify or record a crime reported by Mr Kiernan in mid-September as a robbery and failed to arrest Philip Haslam for any of the offences until September 28.

At a misconduct hearing held last month by Northamptonshire Police both officers, Acting Detective Sergeant Sean Arbuthnot and Temporary Detective Constable Samantha Broadhurst, accepted written warnings for failing to carry out adequate investigations.

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell said it appeared that Mr Kiernan’s claims by police were “dismissed on the basis he had a drink problem”.

He said: “This was an appalling murder of a vulnerable man in his own home. Our investigation found a number of investigative failings by officers and poor handling of intelligence by Northamptonshire Police.

“While allegations made by Mr Kiernan may have been unclear, his demeanour identified him as a vulnerable adult who should have been dealt with as such.

“It appeared that often his claims were dismissed by police on the basis that he had a drink problem and his accounts were therefore unreliable. Had a more thorough police investigation been carried out into the earlier reports of burglary and robbery, Haslam may have been arrested prior to committing the murder.

“We have been advised by Northamptonshire Police that they have since taken steps to enhance its intelligence handling, improve training for officers and its provision of services to vulnerable people.”

The IPCC investigation concluded in July last year and the report and findings were shared at that time with Northamptonshire Police.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “We acknowledge the findings of the IPCC independent investigation and that two officers have appeared before an internal gross misconduct hearing, and have received written warnings for their poor performance on this occasion.

“The organisation accepts learning identified within this investigation. A full review of processes with regard to crime investigation has taken place since this tragic event and significant steps have been taken to improve the service we now provide.”

Motorists in Northampton are being warned to be on the lookout for thieves tampering with vehicles following a spate of thefts in the county in the past week.

Since Monday, February 10, a total of 18 vehicles in Northamptonshire have had their catalytic converters stolen.

The devices are a section of a vehicle’s exhaust system which reduce carbon emissions into the environment and contain a number of valuable metals.

They can be removed from a vehicle in between 90 seconds and three minutes, but can cost more than £1,000 to replace.

Chief Inspector Tom Thompson said: “We know offenders tend to favour vehicles with high ground clearance, such as vans and 4x4 vehicles, but we also know that people carriers are vulnerable too.

“Our advice to drivers is to be aware of this type of theft and park their vehicles in garages if possible. They should also consider getting their catalytic converters professionally marked, as this helps to deter thefts.”

The former Northamptonshire Association for the Blind (NAB) building in Northampton has been demolished.

A large blaze last month severely damaged the building and an investigation by firefighters concluded that it was probably started accidently by vandals.

The building, which was built in about 1860, was going to be converted into 41 one-bedroom and 17 two-bedroom apartments for elderly people.

The work is being carried out by McCarthy & Stone and the newer parts of the building were due to be demolished.

However, due to the damage caused by the fire, the entire structure has now been flattened.

Burglars who tried to break into a Northamptonshire golf club fled empty handed after setting off an alarm when they partially demolished a wall to get into the building.

Sometime between 8pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday February 18, a burglar entered the gamekeeper’s yard at Rushden Golf Club in Kimbolton Road, Chelveston.

Once on the premises, they smashed a window and drilled padlocks before using a pole to remove three rows of breeze blocks to get inside the building.

However, the building’s alarm was set off and the burglars fled empty-handed.

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone who has any information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A gang of six men left a man with a broken nose and fingers after they attacked him in NB’s bar in Northampton.

The assault took place in the Bridge Street venue after the victim, a 24-year-old man, walked out of the toilets at the back of the club, near the garden and smoking area.

The six men, who are all described as Eastern European, pushed him to the ground and kicked and punched him.

One of the men is described as slim, with black hair and wearing a grey polo shirt with a red Ralph Lauren logo and blue jeans.

The assault happened on Sunday, February 2, between 1.30am and 2.30am.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Burglars stole an Audi A3, handbags and cash after they raided two properties in Pitsford.

One of the burglaries happened between 11.30pm on Monday and 7.20am on Tuesday at a house in Broadlands when thieves broke in through a ground floor window and stole various items including handbags and cash.

Officers believe this is linked to a burglary at another property in nearby Manor Road, where thieves broke in between 1am and 7am. They took various items, including a handbag and a set of car keys to a white Audi A3, which they also stole.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A two per cent rise in Northamptonshire County Council’s portion of the council tax bill will be rubberstamped at a meeting today.

The authority is raising tax by 1.99 per cent, the maximum amount it is allowed to before a public referendum must be held. It says this will cost the average household an extra 39p a week.

The council needs to makesavings of £128 million over the next five years, but has pledged to increase spending by £12 million on the failing children’s services, while maintaining spending on library services, country parks and its road maintenance programme.

The meeting at County Hall will also see the opposition parties at County Hall critique the 2014-15 budget. The Liberal Democrats are proposing the formation of a £300,000 ‘economic support taskforce’, to target areas of the community struggling to get back into work, focusing on young adults. The Labour group will be proposing introducing the living wage, investing £1 million into adult social care, and reversing cuts to Connexions and the voluntary sector.

The county council’s precept is the largest portion of the council tax bill.

Councillor Chris Lofts (Lib, Towcester and Roade), said: “We are delighted to propose the formation of an ‘economic support taskforce’ for Northamptonshire, with a £300,000 investment specifically designed to target areas of the community struggling to get back into work following Labour’s recession.

“Partnering with business, educational and voluntary organisations, the primary focus would be young adults who are not in employment, education or training, a group that are being badly let down by the current administration.”

Cllr Mick Scrimshaw (Lab, Northall) said: “The Conservative administration seem to be looking at how they can balance their budget by the simple method of looking at the amount of money they have to spend first and then proposing cuts to fit this.

“We think this is a back-to-front way of doing it and has left their planned budget as looking very risky with some of their savings proposals already recognised as difficult to achieve.

“We have started by looking at the sort of services we want to offer first, and then trying to come up with imaginative ways to fund them, and to this end we will be making proposals intended to relieve some of the financial pressure the council is under because of central government cuts, and free up money to protect some of the services that are currently under threat.”

Campaigners are set to protest outside County Hall before the meeting to set the budget.
More than 200 people have signed a petition raising concerns about changes, including to adult social care services and music education services.

Ron Mendel, chairman of the Northampton Trade Union Council, said: “ I’ve been staggered by the number of people coming forward to support this campaign. These cuts will have a devastating impact on the lives of vulnerable people who use county council services and people know it.”

A man from Northamptonshire has been duped into handing over thousands of pounds to doorstep criminals claiming to be trading standards officers.

The victim, who lives in the Towcester area, was told by the bogus officers that they had caught the people who had conned him out of thousands of pounds previously. They added that they had a cheque for him for £24,000.

They then said that they had realised that he was only due £18,000 so if he gave them £6,000 in cash they would hand the cheque over.

The victim went to his bank and withdrew the cash and handed it over to the rogue traders who then ‘noticed’ that their cheque wasn’t signed and told the victim that they would have to return at a later date – but this never happened.

Although a great deal of money has already been handed over, the victim was suspicious and so contacted the genuine trading standards service.

As a result, officers from trading standards and Northamptonshire Police have been able to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating. Further investigations are ongoing.

Councillor Andre Gonzalez de Savage, cabinet member for public protection, said “Our trading standards officers are a trusted team of people who dedicate themselves to protecting Northamptonshire consumers and tackling scams and other criminality.

“This makes it particularly sickening to hear that doorstep criminals are using the good name of our officers to exploit the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“We are reminding people not to deal with unexpected cold callers offering any kind of service or trying to sell you something on your doorstep. Genuine trading standards officers would never act like this and would never ask residents to hand over money as part of an investigation.

“If anyone does turn up at your door claiming to be a council officer, make sure you check their ID and also call our customer service centre on 0300 126 1000 to check if they are genuine. A council officer will never mind waiting while you do this and do not let anyone inside your home until you are completely satisfied they are who they say they are.

“If you feel you are in danger or the caller is threatening or aggressive, call 999.

“In so many cases these are criminals who are looking to take advantage of the most vulnerable people in

our communities which is why we are calling on friends, relatives, neighbours and carers to be particularly on their guard to help keep them safe.

“Our Doorstep crime Action Network (DAN) brings together all members of our community and is committed to helping the people we care for from falling victim to doorstep crime.

“The dedicated doorstep crime hotline number is 0345 23 07 702 but if a crime is in progress dial 999. Our simple message is - if you’re not sure don’t open the door”.

For advice or information about this or any other doorstep crime, people can contact trading standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06.

Anyone needing work to be carried out around the home or garden can use the trading standards-approved trader scheme called Buy With Confidence.

This is the only scheme where businesses are trading standards approved. For information or to find a trader, people can visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/approvedtraders or telephone 0300 126 1000.

In partnership with Northamptonshire Police, trading standards is also able to provide No Cold Calling stickers. Please call 0300 126 1000 to request a sticker.

A pedestrian died following an accident on the outskirts of Northampton.

Just after 7pm on Wednesday, February 19, the man was involved in a collision with a motorbike and a car on the A428 Bedford Road, close to the junction for Great Houghton.

The pedestrian died as a result of his injuries and the biker was also left with serious injuries.

Sgt Alex Massey, from Northamptonshire Police’s collision investigation team, said: “This was a very serious incident and we would appeal for anyone who saw it, or who has any information, to contact us.”

Officers investigating the case have specifically asked for anyone who saw a red 2011 BMW 3 Series in the area between 6pm and 8pm to contact them.

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone who has any information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

A drive to recruit new police officers has been launched by Northamptonshire Police.

The force has pledged to maintain officer levels at 1,220, a commitment which means more trainee officers are now needed.

Northamptonshire Police is one of only a few forces across the country currently recruiting new police officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, said: “I’m passionate about making our police force the brightest and best in the country.

“By joining Northamptonshire Police, people will help us to deliver my ambition to make our county the safest place in the country while also being in the unique position to make a real difference to the lives of people across our county.

“Although policing a county like ours is a challenging and demanding role, it also offers excellent career opportunities across the organisation.”

More information about how to apply to become a police officer, including videos explaining the day-to-day work of an officer and an online eligibility questionnaire, is available on the force’s website at www.northants.police.uk/careers.

Northamptonshire County Council has rubberstamped plans to increase council tax by two per cent, and make cuts of more than £40 million to its budget.

The tax increase of 1.99 per cent, which was approved by councillors at County Hall on Thursday, will raise an extra £4.4 million in the 2014-15 financial year.

The authority has had to save more than £40 million this year, as part of an ongoing cuts programme of £128 million over the next five years.

But cabinet member for finance, Councillor Bill Parker said the 2014-15 plan was “not a cuts budget”.

The council has pledged to increase spending by £12 million on the failing children’s services, while maintaining spending on library services, country parks and its road maintenance programme.

It says the tax increase will cost the average household an extra 39p a week.

Proposing the budget, Councillor Parker (Con, Clover Hill), said: “Since we have been in office, the county council has fared better than other councils. We are very prudent with our money and thorough with our budgeting.

“This budget is not a cuts budget. It is a budget of change, of transformation. We’ve not closed any libraries, country parks or fire stations.

“It is a budget which protects the most vulnerable in society.

“Since 2005, we have brought sanity and fairness to the council tax system, and people in Northamptonshire are paying £400 less than the average Band D property in the UK.”

The meeting also heard the alternative budgets from the Labour and Liberal Democrat groups.

Labour’s proposals included implementation of the living wage for 470 county council employees, funded by developing land near Pytchley, next to the A14, for commercial use.

The party also proposed a cut of £1.2 million in the subsidy to the Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP), and a reversal in the cuts to community grants, and the Connexions service.

Councillor Mick Scrimshaw (Lab, Northall), shadow cabinet member for finance, said: “The living wage would given the 470 lowest-paid workers an immediate benefit.

“The economic benefits of NEP are difficult to quantify, and other local enterprise partnerships have seen no money from their county councils.”

“We would also like to see cuts to community grants reversed. We are not convinced this is the right time for such a big cut.”

The Liberal Democrats proposed the formation of an ‘economic support taskforce’ for Northamptonshire, with a £300,000 investment to target young people struggling to get back into work.

Councillor Chris Lofts, (Lib, Towcester and Roade), the party’s finance spokesman, said: “This budget suffocates community groups, and the voluntary sector.

“The key issue is leadership, which is more interested in big business.

“You proudly parade council tax as one of the lowest in the country, but place all the blame at the Government’s feet for making these cuts. This paints you as Tories of the old world.”

Ahead of the meeting, a group of protestors staged a demonstration against the cuts outside County Hall, including the removal of small grants for community groups.

Ron Mendel, chairman of the Northampton Trade Union Council, said: “Each of the cuts are affecting different groups of people.

“The most disadvantaged and vulnerable are the worst affected. Community and volunteer groups are getting cuts to their grants, which makes a mockery of the ‘big society’.”

Dave Green, from Save Our Services, said: “The other parties are essentially saying ‘our cuts are better than your cuts’. It’s like giving a Turkey a choice at Christmas - do you want to be roasted or be made into a curry?”

Anjona Roy, chief executive of Northamptonshire Rights & Equality Council, said: “The county council seems to be going backwards on equality.

“The voluntary sector grant cuts are a tiny fragment of the budget, but have a big impact. These £500 grants go to the grass roots of your communities.

“You need the voluntary sector more than ever, and really there is no sense in making these cuts.”

Two men tried to steal the cash drawer at a fish and chip shop in Northamptonshire.

The raid happened at the Olympic Fish Bar, Olympic Way, Wellingborough, on Tuesday February 11 between 9pm and 9.35pm. Police released the information earlier today.

A police spokesman said: “Two men entered the shop, jumped over the counter and tried to remove the cash drawer from the till. Two members of staff managed to stop the men getting the cash drawer and, following a struggle, one member of staff was punched in the face. The men then left the shop empty handed.

“One of the men is described as black, about 6ft, with a slim build. He was wearing gloves and had a local accent.

“The second offender is described as white, 5ft 8in, with a slim build and aged in his teens. He was wearing black trousers and a black jacket with a white zip, and had socks covering his hands.”

Witnesses to the incident, or anyone with information, can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, if they prefer to remain anonymous, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

An accident has caused severe delays on a busy Northampton road this morning.

The A428 Harlestone Road is closed in both directions between the Bants Lane/Mill Road roundabout and Lodge Way, due to an accident between a lorry and a car.

The police, fire service and ambulance service are all in attendance at the accident, which happened at about 8.20am.

Traffic is being diverted through Duston village.

Shoppers and visitors using the Grosvenor Centre car park in Northampton can now pay for their parking using chip and pin credit and debit cards.

Card payments are checked in the same way as any other card payments and payment is accepted only after authorisation by the bank.

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council cabinet member responsible for car parks, said: “Credit and debit cards are now used widely, even for low cost payments such as parking.

“The Grosvenor Centre is one of our busiest car parks and is the latest one to become a pay-on exit-car park which gives shoppers more flexibility over how long they stay in town. Adding the chip and pin facility makes paying for parking even more flexible for shoppers.”

Vandals smashed the back window of a car parked in a street in the Weston Favell area of Northampton.

Police believe the window of the Honda Jazz, parked in Graspin Lane, was smashed sometime between 9pm on Saturday, February 15 and 7.30am the following day.

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone who has any information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 31-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash on a Northamptonshire road last night.

The incident happened on the B4037 near Newnham, Daventry, at about 10pm.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “A dark blue Ford Fiesta, driven by a 31-year-old man from Long Buckby, was travelling from Newnham towards the A45 when, for reasons yet unknown, it left the road.

“No other vehicles were involved.”

The man was taken to University Hospital Coventry with serious injuries.

Anyone with information can call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615 or Northamptonshire Police on 101.

More than 1,000 bottles of gin worth a combined total of £18,000 have been stolen from a lorry parked at the side of the A14 in Northamptonshire.

Thieves broke into the lorry sometime between 8pm on Wednesday, February 19 and 5am the following day as it was parked in a lay-by between junctions two and three of the eastbound carriageway.

They stole a pallet full of Bombay Sapphire gin.

Gordon Badcock from Northamptonshire Police’s Crime Investigations Bureau said: “This was a substantial amount of gin that was stolen and we would ask anyone who is offered cheap bottles of Bombay Sapphire, or who knows anything about this theft, to get in touch with us.”

The bottles were all 700ml size. Because of the large amount stolen, it is believed the thieves would have used a van to take them away.

Witnesses to this incident, or anyone who has any information, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.