Shops in Northamptonshire have been caught selling adult video games to children.

Northamptonshire Police carried out a series of test purchases in Corby and found three-quarters of the shops visited sold 18+ games to children aged under 18 years old.

Games sold to the youngsters included Splinter Cell Blacklist, Bioshock Infinite and Alien Colonial Marines, which are all certified 18+.

Sergeant Jon Hodgson from the Corby Safer Community team said: “We completed test purchases for 18 certified video games at shops in Corby.

“It was disappointing that a number of premises sold without challenge.

“Managers from all the shops were spoken to and took the matter very seriously.

“They are all taking measures to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

Firefighters were called to deal with a bin lorry which had smoke pouring out of it this morning.

Two fire crews from the Mounts and Mereway were called to Bedford Road at around 10.40am today following reports that smoke was coming from a bin lorry.

It is also believed that police were called to the scene dealing with the traffic while firefighters carried out checks on the vehicle.

Dozens of bags of dog mess have been collected by the council in the space of just a week from ‘irresponsible’ owners.

Officers from South Northamptonshire Council have been patrolling Deanshanger on the look out for dog mess which hadn’t been cleared up.

On Thursday, March 5 officers collected 27 bags from the alleyway known as the Black Path which connects Springfield Gardens to Glebe Road.

On Tuesday, 10 March they collected another 20 bags and just two days later cleared further 14, one of which was from a pile left just inches from one of the four dog bins in the area.

Irresonsible dog owners are now being warned that they will be fined if they do not clear up after their pets.

Extra warning signs warning of the consequences have been put up in the village and officers also handed out free bags to dog walkers.

Bridget Howes walks Ted the Jug (Jack Russell/Pug cross) daily in that area and fears for the safety of children using the alleyway.

She said: “I’ve got grandchildren and if they fell in it, it could be dangerous for their eyes. I’m really vigilant with Ted and there are plenty of bins, so there’s no excuse.”

Steve Power uses the area to exercise Bentley the Cocker Spaniel and Bindy the Chihuahua cross. He said: “I hate it and it reflects badly on everyone.

“It doesn’t take much effort at all to pick up after your dog. It’s just laziness.”

Councillor Andrew Grant, Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for environmental services said: “I think the vast majority of dog owners will agree with me that it is disgusting that some people are willing to risk the health of others by not cleaning up after their pets.

“And frankly it is just unpleasant - how many of us have stepped in something and trodden it around the house.

“These irresponsible dog owners should be aware we are watching and we will prosecute where there is evidence to do so.”

Anyone caught not cleaning up after their dog could be issued with an immediate fine of £75 or up to £4,000 if the case goes to a magistrates’ court.

Dog mess can carry harmful roundworm parasites, and in the most severe cases can cause blindness.

Up to 250 houses could be built on the site of the University of Northampton’s Avenue Campus when the institution moves to a new town centre site in 2018, it has been announced.

The outline proposal for the site on St Georges Avenue, off the Racecourse, includes plans for a mixture of flats, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes of two, three, four and five bedrooms.

It also features a new ‘woodland’ area with a play space, cycle and pedestrian links between Freehold Street, Trinity Street and St Georges Avenue, and a drainage area to store surface water.

While the plans involve selling the land to developers, the Grade II listed Newton building, which was first opened in 1915 as Northampton School for Girls, will be kept by the university for ‘non-student facing’ activities. The entry pavilions to the Maidwell building will also be retained.

Gill and David Lindsay, who have lived in St Georges Avenue for 21 years and viewed the plans in the Newton Building on Tuesday, said they were worried about the possible increase in traffic

Mrs Lindsay: “This is a reasonable idea for the site, but our concern is whether it will end up being sold to a developer who would want to put even more houses in.

“The traffic could also be a problem because each house would have one or two cars each, while students who use the university now often use bikes and public transport. St Georges Avenue is already a busy road and is not adequate to cope with much more.”

Parmjit Nila, transport planner for CH2M, said she did not belive there would be much difference in the amount of traffic.

She said: “It’s more the direction of traffic: currently traffic is coming into the site during morning rush-hour and leaving in the evening, whereas it would be the other way around with a residential development.”

The current plan is being coordinated by Savills, who will take feedback from the public consultation events before submitting a pre-application to Northampton Borough Council.

An outline application will then be submitted in a few months, detailing the principles and parameters for the site, before the land is sold to a developer to carry out the work.

Building work would not begin until the university has completely vacated the site by summer 2018.

Savills associate director and planner, Catherine Mason, said: “We have had a strong turn-out for the public viewings and the feedback has been generally very positive. People are expecting something to happen, they just want to know what, and have been asking practical questions about things like site access.”

A 21-year-old man was hit by a motorcyclist who then failed to stop in Northampton.

The man was walking with a friend along Archangel Road, Camp Hill, at about 12.45pm on Friday, March 6, when he was struck by a motorbike.

He was hit on the left leg and fell to the floor, hitting his head. The rider of the bike turned around, but drove away from the scene.

The injured man was taken to Northampton General Hospital. A police spokesman said the man’s injuries were not believed to be life threatening.

The bike rider wore a black helmet with a visor and a dark jacket. His bike was dark coloured.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A sheep was mutilated and killed by a vandal that broke into a field near a village close to Northampton.

Police are investigating after a sheep was stabbed to death and cut up in a field off Bugbrooke Road in Nether Heyford sometime between 11.30am on Wednesday, March 11 and 7am on Thursday, March 12.

It is believed a number of lambs may also have died as a result of the attack but a police spokesman said only one sheep death had been reported.

A woman who lives near to the field where the sheep was killed said: “Someone who is capable of such a horrific crime is a danger to children and general public. Surely they need catching.”

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

People who have a knife are being encouraged to put them in a number of designated blade bins across the county.

Northamptonshire Police’s month-long knife-amnesty continues this week with officers placing drop bins in the following locations:

Wednesday, March 18 – CORBY : Phoenix Parkway, 1am – 4pm

Thursday 19 – NORTHAMPTON: Waitrose, Kingsthorpe, Weston Favell, 10am - midday

Thursday 19 – NORTHAMPTON: Weston Favell Shopping Centre, 10am – midday

Saturday 21 – THRAPSTON: Co-op, 1.30pm – 5.30pm

A spokeman for Northamptonshire Police said: “For the rest of this month, anyone can drop off a knife in a designated ‘blade bin’ without fear of prosecution.

“Knives can be dropped into one of these bins, or a scheduled appointment can be made by calling 101, and arranging for a police officer to come and take the knife away.

“The campaign is part of Operation Limit, the force’s crackdown on violent crime, and also forms part of the national ‘Save a life’ campaign being run nationally.

”Blades from forces across the country will be melted down to create an angel statue in Trafalgar Square in memory of those who have lost their lives to knife crime.”

Anyone with information about knife crime and anti-social behaviour in Northamptonshire is urged to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

A car parked in a Northamptonshire street had is tyres slashed twice in the space of three days.

All four tyres on the Renault Clio were first slashed on Friday, March 13.

One of the vehicle’s tyres was then slashed again on Sunday, March 15, sometime between 2.15pm and 3.30pm.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A crash and a broken down lorry on the M1 in Northamptonshire caused long delays for drivers this morning.

One lane was closed and there queuing traffic on the northbound carriageway of the M1 between junction 18 for Crick and junction 19 at the Catthorpe Interchange because of an accident.

There was also one lane blocked and slow traffic on the southbound carriageway between 15a and 15 for Northampton due to a broken down lorry in the roadworks.

All lanes have now reopened and traffic has returned to normal.

Police officers found a man who had collapsed on the pavement in Northamptonshire.

Officers found him lying on the ground in Montagu Street in Kettering following an alleged assault.

The assault is believed to have happened during an incident in Bostons Diner sometime between 1.50am and 2am on Sunday, March 8.

The man was taken to Kettering General Hospital for treatment. A second man is also believed to have been injured in the same incident.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Singer and songwriter Hazel O’Connor will headline the entertainment at the 2015 Crick Boat Show and Waterways Festival.

More than 250 exhibitors will be attending this year’s boat show at Crick Marina, which attracts thousands of people to Northamptonshire every year.

This year organisers are expecting to welcome 25,000 visitors to the show which includes dozens of boats to look round, free boat trips, free fun fair, live music, a real ale marquee, children’s activities, and a large variety of food and drink stalls.

This year’s event, organised by Waterways World in partnership with the Canal & River Trust and Crick Marina, will be held on Bank Holiday weekend from May 23-25.

Eighties icon Hazel will be performing An Evening with Hazel O’Connor tour set at Crick on Sunday 24 May, as part of the show’s evening entertainment programme.

The show will include songs from the iconic film Breaking Glass, including Eighth Day, Will You, Big Brother and If Only, as well as old and new songs from Hazel’s portfolio and a special meet and greet after the show.

Day and weekend ticket holders get free access to Crick’s evening entertainment on the days they have booked.

Peter Johns, Publisher of Waterways World and Show Director, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming people to our fantastic 2015 event. Crick Boat Show is the number one boat show at the heart of the waterway network.

“Whether people are boating enthusiasts, looking to buy boating products and services, or just looking for a great family day out by the water, there’s lots to see and do at Crick Boat Show, set in the beautiful Northamptonshire countryside, alongside the Grand Union Canal.

“As ever, music is an important part of the show’s entertainment and atmosphere and we are delighted to have booked Hazel O’Connor to headline our Sunday evening entertainment programme. The show will also feature performances from Murphy’s Marbles with Sean Cannon of the Dubliners and Northampton reggae favourites Rhythm n’ Roots.”

Crick Boat Show 2015 will be open from 10am till 6pm every day except Monday 25 May, when it closes at 5pm. Evening entertainment runs from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.

Ticket prices start at £11.50 per adult if booked in advance, £14.50 on the day. Under 5’s go free and all children (aged 5-16) go free on Monday 25 May. Tickets for children on the Saturday and Sunday are £6.40 in advance, £8 on the day. Senior Citizens and concessions are £9.50 in advance, £12 on the day. Family tickets (two adults and up to three children) are £29.50 in advance, £37 on the day. Three-day tickets are also available.

For more information visit www.crickboatshow.com, call 01283 742970 or visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/crickboatshow. Visitors can save up to 20% off ticket prices by booking in advance. To book tickets, visit www.crickboatshow.com/tickets.html or call 01283 742970.

Assets worth more than £370,000 have been seized by Northamptonshire Police from a husband and wife who were convicted of money laundering offences two years ago.

Abdulrahman Ishaq, aged 40 and Aisha Choudhary, aged 33 of Bedford Road, London, were ordered to pay back £378,187 at a Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation hearing at Northampton Crown Court earlier this month.

Her Honour Judge Tayton ordered the pair to pay the sum back within six months or face additional prison sentences of between 24 to 30 months.

They were originally convicted in 2012, after being investigated for their involvement in a complex web of money laundering involving the sale of stolen computer circuit boards from a company in Northampton.

At the time Ishaq was sentenced to two years in prison, reduced on appeal from three years. Choudhary was sentenced to eight months in prison, reduced on appeal from one year.

Over the past couple of years, Northamptonshire Police financial investigators identified the couple had benefited from more than half a million pounds from their criminal lifestyles, including owning three properties in London, two of which were registered under false names.

Mr Rankin McCarrick, lead financial investigator, said: “This was a complex and protracted investigation, which started off as a burglary from a company in Northampton with the property being sent abroad to Canada.

“The offenders were traced and as a result we conducted a financial investigation into their affairs. We uncovered unexplained wealth which we felt could only have come from crime and which the pair were trying to legitimise.

“We asked the courts for a confiscation order to recover this wealth which the judge granted. This helps us achieve our aim of disrupting criminals and removing assets obtained through crime.”

A collapsed roll-bar caused the death of an experienced motor-racer at Silverstone last year when he flipped his 1960s Lotus, an inquest heard today.

Denis Welch, who had won three classic car races in Monaco during his career, was only four corners into a pre-1966 vintage Grand Prix car race at the Northamptonshire track in July last year, when he clipped the back of another racer’s wheels and rolled the car.

Though he was only travelling at slow speeds the ‘roll bar’ of his Lotus 18 collapsed while the vehicle was inverted, which caused the 69-year-old Staffordshire father-of-two to suffer catastrophic head injuries.

At an inquest into his death at County Hall today, senior coroner for Northamptonshire Anne Pember was satisfied the car had passed all safety checks before being allowed to race.

She returned a verdict of ‘accidental death’, saying that Mr Welch died ‘doing what he loved’.

Tragically however, Mr Welch’s eldest son Jeremy, giving evidence at the inquest, said that his racing father might have had plans to strengthen the roll bar on his ‘to-do list’.

He said: “In my opinion the thickness of the metal tubing was inadequate, but this was in keeping with the age and style of the vehicle.

“I would imagine it could have been replaced, but this was on the to-do list.

“There are plenty of other cars racing with the same or similar specifications.”

Mr Welch was taking part in a 20-minute timed race as part of the Silverstone Classic event last year.

The inquest heard how Mr Welch would have usually been a front-runner at vintage racing events, but was forced to start from the back on this occasion after gearbox problems in qualifying.

A video played a the inquest showed how cars bunched up in the tight left hand ‘Village’ corner when two fellow competitors collided.

The 69-year-old approached the near stationary cars at speed and his front left wheel clipped the back of Dutch driver Eddy Perk’s car, sending it into the fatal roll.

The inquest heard how Mr Perk was left in shock after the incident and classed himself as a good friend of Mr Welch.

Technical director at the Motor Sports Association (MSA) John Symes compiled a report on Mr Welch’s death after the incident.

He concluded the crash was a tragic racing accident ‘inherent’ in the risks of motorsport.

“If the car had been 250 millimetres one way or 250 millimetres another; or if there was a tenth of a second difference in their times, there might have been an entirely different outcome,” he said.

Mr Welch began racing vintage vehicles in 1981 and during his career won Formula Junior races at the famous Monte Carlo street circuit in Monaco three times.

He had retired from his business, Denis Welch Motorsport, eight years before his death. The Burton-on_trent based firm specialises in repairing road, race and rally Austin Healeys and supplying parts for the classic cars.

Son Jeremy said the family, including Mr Welch’s wife Tina who witnessed the fatal crash form the stands at Silverstone, were devastated by the loss.

He said: “Dad died doing something that he absolutely loved doing, having competed with distinction for over 50 years. Dad was one of the most popular characters in the paddock.”

A driver pulled a metal bar out of his car boot and attacked another vehicle during a dispute in a car park in Northampton.

At about 1pm on Sunday, March 15, a couple parked in the St James Retail Park in Northampton, close to the B&M store.

As they got out of their car, one of their doors brushed a neighbouring silver vehicle.

The owner of the silver vehicle then started shouting and swearing at the couple and pushed the woman in the chest, knocking her backwards.

He then got a black metal pole out of his car boot and threatened the woman before hitting the couple’s car.

He is described as a white man, about 5ft 6in or 5ft 7in, in his late 50s or early 60s. He was stocky, had grey hair and was wearing a grey jacket and oblong glasses.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A man from Northamptonshire has been arrested after leaflets condemning homosexuality and non-Christian religions were distributed to a number of homes.

The 53-year-old of Corby, Northamptonshire, was arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred on the grounds of religion or sexual orientation.

The leaflets were delivered to a number of homes in Rugby, Warwickshire.

Police are advising people not to share the leaflet on social media.

A spokesman for Warwickshire Police said: “We would advise against this on the grounds that you could be committing an offence under section 29 of the Public Order Act 1986.”

Last year similar leaflets were distributed to homes in Northampton.

A Northampton shop-owner conducted a survey which has revealed negative responses towards the extension of bus shelters in the town centre, which began today.

Carol Faulkner, who opened Northampton Health Store, in the Drapery in the town centre, last November, said the work had caused “chaos” along the street all morning and the whole project was a “waste of money.”

She said: “I have conducted a survey asking people waiting for buses outside the shop for their thoughts on the extended bus shelters, after we were recently informed by Northampton Borough Council that it was going to happen.

“They have all said that it’s a bad idea because they are still unlikely to use the bus stop and are more likely, instead, to continue standing outside the shops, blocking windows and doors.”

The works today are part of a project to extend all six bus shelters on the street and add a new one.

More than 60 people who commented on Miss Faulkner’s survey said they tend not to wait in the designated bus stops because they are uncomfortable and sometimes wet.

Miss Faulkner said: “There has been a lack of communication by the council.

“They need to properly inform the public that this extension is for them to use, to give them more space so they don’t cause congestion on the pavement. It stops deliveries and cleaners from being able to get down the street, and that’s what we pay our business taxes for.”

“If people don’t want to use the shelters then it’s just a waste of public money.

“I have also complained about the fact businesses were not properly consulted before the decision was made and we will have to put up with a lot of noise and congestion, on top of the noise from the demolished Greyfriars site, until the work is finished.”

A Northampton Borough Council spokesman said: “People have told us that they would like more cover as they wait for buses and we have listened to that feedback. The work will be completed over the next two weeks.

“The vehicles dropping off materials are moving on quickly so that they don’t hold up traffic and that is being monitored.

“We have written to all the businesses in the Drapery to keep them updated about the work and visited those who responded asking for further information.”

Northamptonshire Police has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE).

People in the county are being urged to contact police if the recognise the signs of CSE, which covers all forms of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status.

Throughout the three-month campaign, images will be put on display on billboards and buses in locations across Northamptonshire and adverts will be aired on Heart radio.

The campaign will also directly target young people via social media and Digital Audio Exchange (DAX) so that young people using Facebook, Twitter and Spotify are exposed to the adverts.

Northamptonshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, who has pledged an extra £1 million to help resource the CSE unit, said he wanted to send the message out the force was taking this form of crime seriously.

The new CSE team has 11 members of full-time staff, including eight constables, two detective sergeants and a detective inspector.

Mr Simmonds said it was “possible” that Northamptonshire Police could have missed CSE crimes in the past.

He said: “There may well be victims that have not been listened to. I do not have any data but, if we are like the rest of the police forces in the country, that will have happened.

“Victims need to be listened to and believed. Perpetrators need to be disrupted, prosecuted, and brought to justice for their actions.

“Agencies need to take responsibility for protecting, safeguarding and supporting all children and young people that may be exploited. We need to recognise that child sexual exploitation is the rape and abuse of children; and begin to tackle it as just that and no less.“

Superintendent Steve Lingley, the force’s Head of Crime, said the number of CSE crimes being reported to police had increased from seven to nine a month in recent years.

Mr Longley said there was no evidence of criminal gangs working to exploit children in the county, as seen in places like Rotherham, but said most of the cases the force dealt with were “lone offenders.”

He said: “Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue across the UK and is a local priority. “CSE is often hidden from view and going unnoticed. Vulnerable young girls and boys are groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatised and scarred for life.

“Any young person regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity and sexuality can be at risk of being sexually exploited.

“Put simply, CSE is child rape

“We need members of the public to be our eyes and ears and to let us know if they spot the signs of this terrible crime so that we can hunt down their abusers and bring them to justice.”

A number of live investigations into CSE in Northamptonshire are currently taking place with one victim only 11 years old.

Last month, three men were arrested on suspicion of sexual activity with a child in Northampton.

The launch of Northamptonshire Police’s CSE campaign was timed to coincide with the National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day.

An 80-year-old man had cash stolen from his home while he was being distracted by a burglar as he stood in his front garden.

Between 2.45pm and 3.10pm, on Tuesday, March 17, the victim was tidying in his from garden in Ecton when he was approached by a man who engaged him in conversation.

The man asked him for directions to various locations in Northampton.

When the victim returned back to his house, he discovered that a quantity of cash was stolen.

It is believed that the man had distracted the victim, while an accomplice entered the property and stole the money.

The first offender is described as a white man in late teens to early 20s, between 5ft 5ins and 5ft 7ins tall. Of slim build and wearing a grey patterned jumper.

Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Northampton-based brewing giant Carlsberg UK has said that today’s announcement of another cut in beer tax is “tremendous news” for brewers.

The confirmation came during Chancellor George Osborne’s budget speech today, where he announced a 1p cut in beer duty - the third reduction in a row.

Bruce Ray, Carlsberg UK corporate affairs director, said: “This is further tremendous news for Britain’s brewers, publicans and everyone who enjoys a pint of beer in the pub.

“It will support continued investment in jobs, innovation in new products and expansion from brewers, big and small.

“Through this investment brewers like ourselves are able to demonstrate the crucial social and economic contribution that we make to the UK, underlining what beer gives, rather than takes away, from our society.”

Today the Chancellor also announced a cancellation of a planned rise in fuel duty, a review of the business rates system and the abolition of National Insurance Contributions (NIC) for employing under 21s and the self-employed.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Cancelling the planned fuel duty rise in September will be a huge benefit not only to Northamptonshire’s logistics firms who has chosen to base themselves here because of its excellent transport links, but also to the many sole traders and small businesses in the county for whom it can be a significant cost.

“In delivering the Budget, Mr Osborne confirmed the Government will review the unpopular business rates system – a structure which provides huge discrepancies in bills regardless of turnover. This is long overdue.”

He added that Mr Osborne’s promise that the Annual Investment Allowance of £500,000 will not be cut to £25,000 at the end of the year as planned, was also welcome news. But, he said: “It is not clear as to what the new figure will be so we wait to hear more details in the autumn - businesses need certainty to invest in the future.

“Britain needs a long-term economic plan and the Government or incoming government must stick with it.”

Almost £80,000 worth of fines were handed out by Northamptonshire Police officers in the year after the new ‘careless driving’ offences were introduced two years ago, new figures show.

Data released under the Freedom of Information Act shows that 726 drivers were given £100 fines after they were caught using a mobile phone at the wheel between August 2013 and August 2014.

During the same period, a total of 40 people were fined for ‘driving without due care and attention’ and 23 were given fixed penalty notices for driving without reasonable consideration to other users, this includes ‘hogging’ the middle lane of a motorway and driving through a puddle and splashing pedestrians.

Two people in the county were fined £100 for using a mobile phone while supervising a provisional licence holder.

Nationally, 10,000 motorists have been fined for offences such as tailgating, hogging the middle lane and undertaking on the inside lane since the new £100 fines for careless driving were introduced in August 2013.

The force that handed out the highest amount of fines for careless driving during the year was the Met Police (1397), while South Wales and Essex Police did not prosecute any drivers.

Professor Stephen Glaister, director of the RAC Foundation, has backed the use of the on-the-spot fines, but said they had to be enforced consistently across the country.

He said: “As with using mobiles at the wheel and drink-driving, it is not enough to outlaw anti-social behaviour on the roads.

“People need to believe they will get caught. These figures suggest that in several areas they won’t. Ultimately you need consistent nationwide police enforcement proportionate with the level of death and injury these reckless actions cause.”