Freedom of Information requests by Johnston Press Investigations and the Chronicle and Echo have revealed that officers in the county have investigated 720 cyber, or what are termed ‘cyber enabled’, crimes over the past three years.

The number subject to a police probe has risen steadily from 92 in 2014/15 to 365 in 2016/17.

Of the 720 investigated, 96 remained unsolved after a police probe and in 177 cases no suspect was identified. In four cases cautions had to be handed out to youths under that age of 18.

Yet the force is spending £755,049, just 0.6 per cent, of its overall budget on tackling cyber crime each year.

A former intelligence officer at GCHQ, which leads Britain’s cyber defence capabilities, told JP Investigations that the UK and other developed countries are “on the losing end of an arms race” in which organised crime groups and hostile states are deploying powerful online tools to net million of pounds a day and disrupt daily life with attacks such as the ransomware assault which earlier this year disrupted the NHS.

Our figures show that over the past three years in Northamptonshire there were 68 cases where cyber technologies enabled blackmail, six cases where it facilitated child prostitution or pornography and one case of slavery.

Police investigated 87 occasions where new technologies helped play a part in sexual activity with a child under 16 - and 50 occasions involving a child under 13.

Most of the crimes, 218 in fact, related to obscene publications that were either offensive to a person or explicit in some way.

But the list shows technology even played the part in six instances of rape.

The findings follow warnings made only last month by Britain’s public spending watchdog that online fraud has been “overlooked by government, law enforcement and industry”.

The National Audit Office found that only one in every 150 police officers in England and Wales specialises in fraud despite the fact it is now the most prevalent crime in Britain, with the vast majority of those offences committed online.

Former Northampton South MP Brian Binley was on a select committee looking at the growing nature of cyber crime in 2001 and believes forces up and down the land are facing a huge challenge.

In 2009 he was hit by cyber criminals himself when a hacker managed to take £1,000 from his account ‘without any checks whatsoever’ and was later the subject of an attempted attack, when fraudsters tried to move £9,000 from one of his savings accounts.

“It makes you so angry,” he said.

“I have never had house broken into but I imagine it is the same feeling.

“It is a violation of a part of you. It is a personal invasion.”

Northampton is no stranger to major cyber crime.

A Northampton student was jailed for 18 months for launching a series of cyber attacks that cost the website PayPal £3.5 million.

Christopher Weatherhead, carried out the attacks as part of hacking group Anonymous, which also targeted other sites including MasterCard, Visa and Ministry of Sound. The

Government itself has acknowledged that some police forces are doing too little to tackle cyber crime, with one minister citing the Game of Thrones TV series by warning “winter is coming” concerning online crime and fraud.

Security minister Ben Wallace called on victims of cyber crime to report offences but revealed seven police forces have no dedicated fraud or cyber crime unit.

Mr Wallace said: “This thing is only going to go one way, it is growing and the barriers to entry for cyber fraud are lowering on an almost daily basis.”

Data obtained by the investigation unit suggests that the true scale of the suffering is vastly under-reported.

While the police forces which responded to FOI requests said they had received just under 40,000 reports of cyber crime in the last financial year, the Office of National Statistics estimates there were 1.9 million victims of computer misuse offences in England and Wales in the past year.

This suggests that as little as two per cent of online crimes are being reported, with victims often too embarrassed or worried about reputational damage to come forward, or even unaware that they have been targeted.

Based on responses from 30 out of 45 police forces across the UK, the number of cyber crimes rose from 21,307 in 2015/16 to 39,339 in 2016/17, an increase of 86 per cent.

Yet the average spend on cyber crime across nine forces which provided figures on their budget was just one per cent.

Despite it spending just 0.06 per cent of its budget on tackling cyber crime, Northamptonshire Police says its dedicated cyber crime unit has been the subject of significant investment.

Detective Inspector Hayley Costar of the force cyber crime unit, said: “Alongside colleagues across the UK, we recognise that tackling cyber crime is an area of huge growth for policing, which is why it is identified within the police and crime plan as an area for us to focus on.

“Not only do we have a cyber crime team investigating crime committed online, we have a separate Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) as well as officers in every department investigating crimes which have an online element, including CID and response officers.”

Director of technology and digital transformation at the force Simon Clifford added: “We fully recognise the growth and complexity of this emerging type of threat. Not only have we provided additional funding to Northamptonshire Police to increase its capacity[...]but we in Northamptonshire are working at the forefront of a number of national technology programmes[...] to develop powerful cyber investigative and preventative tools.”

A bypass aimed at busting the traffic in the north of Northampton could destroy a swathe of countryside for future generations, campaigners have warned.

Just over a week remains for townsfolk to have their say on the proposed route of the north-west bypass and orbital route aimed at easing the strain on Kingsthorpe roads in particular.

But in the past week, 192 people have signed a petition hoping to put a stop to the plans.

The proposed new road will eventually run from the A5199 near Chapel Brampton to the A43.

But, on the way, campaigners say it will pass through one of the county’s most picturesque and historically significant valleys.

Events manager Tracey Onley, who works and keeps her horse in Chapel Brampton, 39, has started a Facebook group for those against the scheme.

“Within days of starting the ‘Northern Orbital Route’ group it had attracted hundreds of members,” she said.

“When I went to one of the consultation exhibitions, the Northamptonshire County Council representatives there seemed oblivious to the number of bridle paths that would be affected andthat there are over 200 horses in Church and Chapel Brampton alone.”

The campaigners - who say this is not a case of NIMBYISM - fear the new road will be in-filled by housing developments in much the same way Grange Park and Upton have.

As such, the petition calls for the area around the Bramptons to be afforded greenbelt protection.

The person who set it up, Charlotte Mackaness, a mum of three from Boughton, said: “I can’t express how sad I feel about how our countryside is being ruined by unfettered and badly considered development. It is a scandal that there is nothing in our county considered worthy of preservation.”

The county council has proposed eight different routes for the orbital road, which are open to the consultation.

Though people in favour of the orbital road will believe the loss of countryside is a necessary evil - one point both sides agree on is that a north -west bypass and the longer orbital road cannot be opened separately.

At present plans are to build the north-west relief road, linking the A428 Harlestone Road with the A5199 Welford Road by 2021.

The remainder of the route, between Welford Road and the A43 will be finished two years later.

But both those for against the overall scheme believe this staggered building schedule dump more traffic in Kingsthorpe “[Cars] Will spill out onto the A5199 where I work and keep my horse,” said campaign starter Tracey Onley. “What is going to happen to all that traffic?”

To take part in the consultation, which ends on Friday, August 4, head to the Northampton Northern Orbital Route page of Northamptonshire County Council’s website.

A 13-year-old boy was robbed during daylight hours in Northampton after a gang of teenagers demanded money before assaulting him.

The young teen was in the Drapery just after 3.30pm on Sunday, July 23, when he was approached by a group of teenagers, two on bikes, who demanded money.

The boy managed to get away for a short distance but was then kicked and punched.

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "One of the offenders is described as a tall, slim, black boy, around 13 years old, with short braided black hair and wearing a grey hooded tracksuit.

"Another was also a tall, slim, 13-year-old black boy with short black hair wearing a t-shirt and black shoes, another a 13-year-old [white] boy wearing a blue Adidas hooded top and trousers and another an Asian boy wearing a red tracksuit."

Anyone who has information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The call for support comes after the planning inspectorate overturned council planning committee refusals on appeal, by giving the go ahead to ten out of 11 recent HIMO applications.

The number of planning applications for HIMO’s in the town has been steadily increasing, as the opening of the new University of Northampton Campus grows closer, with 13 applications being discussed by the planning committee this month alone.

Cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, councillor Tim Hadland, said: “Getting Government backing of our policy is essential to ensuring our communities and service provision are protected from the overdevelopment of HIMO’s in the town.

“With the support of our local MP’s, we hope to establish how we can work together with other local councils and the planning inspectorate to make sure the right local, if not national, measures are being followed when considering applications of this nature.”

This has recently sparked outrage with residents in Far Cotton who claim HIMOs only benefit private landlords and not residents who live in their community.

The council has now enlisted the support of Andrew Lewer MP, whose constituency covers the area surrounding the new campus, and Michael Ellis MP whose constituency includes both the current campuses.

Both of these areas are popular for the development of HIMO’s and the MPs' support is important in ensuring the local policy is given due consideration when refused planning applications are appealed and reviewed by the planning inspectorate.

Northampton Borough Council says both MP’s have written to the minister of state for housing and planning and will be continuing to meet with members of their constituency to ensure that the views of local residents are taken into account as part of their campaign for more transparent planning regulations.

Councillor Danielle Stone (Lab, Castle) said:“The proliferation of HIMOs in certain parts of Northampton have reached saturation point. HIMOs can cause huge litter problems and greatly increase parking pressures in a neighbourhood.

"Turning properties into HIMOs also means there is less housing available for families.

"I agree that Planning Inspectorate should give more consideration to local policy when considering appeals but we should also be asking Central Government to give us more power in stopping HIMOs in the first place.”

The council’s policy around HIMO’s includes an Interim Planning Policy Statement and wide ranging Article 4 areas, which aims to limit the density of HIMO’s in Northampton.

Under the Article 4 Direction, there should not be more than 15 per cent of HMOs in a 50-metre radius

This ultimately aims to protect the character of areas and communities while ensuring adequate provision of facilities, amenities and services, such as parking, healthcare and recycling.

From September, working parents who earn the equivalent of 16 hours at national minimum or living wage could be eligible, as well as some one-parent families.

The new scheme could give eligible families access to 30 free hours a week.

Northamptonshire County Council are inviting parents to register through the HMRC Childcare Services website before the end of August

It comes after the county council was awarded almost £1 million from the Education Funding Agency to create additional childcare places in the Northamptonshire.

Cabinet member for children and families Matthew Golby said: “The 30 hours free childcare scheme is a fantastic way for working families to benefit from additional early years education.

“These extra free hours for eligible parents will not only ease pressures on family finances but also help to ensure children are more ‘school ready’, enabling them to benefit from the learning, development and social skills that early years education can offer.”

Further information is available on the county council's early years page.

Since the Chron covered Callum’s Duff’s story back in June, fundraisers have raised £18, 415 to send the Kislingbury boy - who does not speak - to Oakville Success Centre in Canada to receive a new method of treatment.

After a desperate Facebook plea for information, the family received hundreds of lines of enquiries... and this trip was one of Callum’s last options after exhausting different forms of treatment, including Great Ormond Street Hospital, since he was two years old.

But since his first visit to Canada, there is new hope for the Duff family.

Now the six-year-old is consistently using 10 verbal words and is making “huge” progress in his development and motor skills.

Mum, Kim Duff said she’s seen a huge improvement in Callum after one visit.

She said: “He is so much more aware of himself and his surroundings and much more present, which he wasn’t before. He was totally non-verbal.

“We talk to him like he is a normal six-year-old and he understands far much more than he can say.

“He is aware of a lot of people trying to help him.”

Now the family are venturing out to Canada again in August to continue to use a technological device called Natural Orientation Inducing Tool (NOIT).

Its purpose is to support the individual in learning the tools necessary to function from a single perspective to achieve harmony.

Money has also been raised for Callum through fundraising events.

Kim added: “Through fundraising events like abseils, tea dances and auctions, we’re hoping to raise more money to continue to support Callum’s treatment in the quest to find his voice.

“If, with the two efforts combined, we could make it to £20,000 what an amazing legacy that would be.”

Community engagement officers have visited a Hindu group in Wellingborough to discuss issues including personal safety and crime prevention.

DC Rachel Packman and PC Christian Buckenham visited the Dostiyo group at The Victoria Centre yesterday (Wednesday) to discuss personal safety, crime prevention and concerns within the local area.

They also answered questions about policing at the request of the group’s organisers.

PC Buckenham said: “I was really impressed that those attending the meeting were keen to play their part in crime prevention.

“When the community and police work together we can have a massive impact on crime reduction.”

For further crime prevention advice go to www.northants.police.uk.

A man was hit on the back of the head before being robbed in a Northampton park.

At around 3pm on Saturday, July 22, a man was walking in Becket’s Park, from the Bedford Road entrance towards the tennis court.

He was hit on the back of his head, fell over, was hit again and sustained bruising and swelling, Northamptonshire Police said today.

The offender took his wallet and phone charger from his rear pockets and ran off in the direction of Morrisons.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: "There were people sheltering from the rain in the park at the time and officers would like to speak with anyone who saw it happen."

Anyone who has information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A Northampton charity set up as a peer support group for women diagnosed with breast cancer was joined by another local charity at its last members meeting.

Breast Friends was set up earlier this year by three Northampton breast cancer survivors - Leonie Heard, Clair Lineham and Jennie Legg - to help others who have been diagnosed with the disease to not feel alone.

The group meet monthly and have been joined recently by the Sainsbury's local charity of the year 2017/2018 nominee The Lewis Foundation, who have supported Breast Friends by providing members with gift packs which they usually hand out to cancer patients in the Talbot Butler ward at Northampton General Hospital.

Leonie said: "The Lewis Foundation is all about helping others in the community and bringing members of the community together to support each other when they need it the most.

"They joined us at our last meeting and our members really appreciated the work they do as some had experienced their work during a difficult time in their treatment.

"The pack from the Lewis Foundation was so unexpected and incredibly thoughtful".

She added: "As we are both local cancer charities, we both see the immense value in collaborating and supporting each other as opposed to working alone."

Breast Friends has grown steadily since its inception earlier this year. Thanks to fundraising and a grant approved by Macmillan the group are able to create a supportive, regular and informative space for women affected by cancer.

They meet every first Wednesday of each month, and you can find out more at www.breastfriendsnorthampton.org.

Andrew Vasper, 52, from Brixworth had to have his leg amputated after a car knocked him off his bike on May 12, 2012.

He was travelling home along the A5199 Northampton Road after visiting his son who lived in Brixworth. As he approached a staggered cross road, a Vauxhall Astra suddenly pulled out from a junction on the right and straight into the side of his motorcycle.

Andrew said: “Thinking back to the accident, I remember approaching the junction with caution as I had an inkling that the driver was going to pull out on me. He didn’t, so I carried on as normal.

"It wasn’t until I was actually level with the car that he did pull out, knocking me straight off my bike. My leg took all the impact and I was thrown up the road and face down into a ditch."

An air ambulance rushed Andrew to the University Hospital Coventry where he underwent emergency surgery to save his leg. He had six operations in total over the nine weeks that he spent in hospital. To repair the significant damage to his foot, muscle was taken from his abdomen and used to completely reconstruct it.

Due to his injuries, he lost so much blood he 'died' twice while in the operating theatre.

Andrew’s recovery was slow and extremely painful and, with the pain so unbearable, he saw little other choice than to have his right leg removed in order to get his life back on track.

Eighteen months after the accident, he was admitted to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where his right leg was amputated below the knee.

To make matters worse, Andrew suffered a significant injury to his left leg in a road traffic accident at the age of 19, which left him with a permanent disability and so he lost his only working leg as a result of this accident.

Andrew said: "I knew that my leg would need to be amputated eventually as it wasn’t getting any better. I spoke to lots of different surgeons to get their advice, and ultimately made the decision to have my leg removed.

"Four years on I do not regret it at all, it’s the best decision I’ve made as it was just hampering my life.”

After just a short period of rehab at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre in Birmingham, he was fitted with his first prosthetic limb in January 2014.

Andrew worked closely with serious injury specialists Fletchers Solicitors following the accident who were able to secure an interim payment from Churchill Insurance and Berrymans so he could pay for gastric band surgery and get a more suitable prosthesis while his claim was still ongoing.

In September 2015, Andrew received a settlement of £650,000 to compensate for his life changing injuries.

Andrew said: “Before the surgery, I was unable to move around as freely as I had done before, so I couldn’t exercise and I just piled on the pounds. This made me incredibly depressed and my psychological health took a massive hit.

"But the interim payment and the compensation have been an absolute god send as they really helped in my recovery. I was able to pay for the gastric bypass surgery and a better quality prosthetic, which allowed me to become mobile again and I started to get my life back to normal.

"I was able to do some of the things I enjoyed doing before the accident. I am extremely grateful to Fletchers for the team’s support and guidance. They were amazing throughout the whole process and were always there when I needed them.”

Julia Eyton, a serious injury lawyer at Fletchers Solicitors who worked on the case, said: “Andrew has been through a terrible ordeal and has really battled with his recovery.

"This has been extremely difficult for him and has taken its toll on various aspects of his life, such as his independence.

"Throughout his case, we fought for him to receive the compensation he was entitled to, in order to help aid in his recovery and help him come to terms with what has happened.”

After his case was settled Andrew returned to work at his bespoke radiator designer and distributor business but it took a hit as he was unable to dedicate the time and commitment needed due to his injuries and a short time later Andrew had little choice but to fold the company.

Despite his ordeal, Andrew vowed not to let his injuries hold him back and prevent him from pursuing his love of motorbike riding.

Four years after losing his leg, he is now back riding motorbikes both and took part in a track day at Donnington race course held by The Experience, a charity that teaches and advises injured motorcyclists how to ride safely again.

Andrew was also extremely keen to repay the air ambulance crew that saved his life. In 2013, he won a Honda motorbike in competition held by Motorcycle News, and auctioned off the prize so that he could donate the funds to the air ambulance.

Since the accident. Andrew has gone on to lose almost 10 stone in weight and also got married in August 2016. He has now purchased a new home for himself and his family and is looking forward to the future.

Andrew added: “I’m over the moon that I’ve been able to get back on a motorbike and reignite my love of riding. Me and my wife both enjoy motorcycling, so it’s great that we’re able to share this hobby together and I’m certainly not letting my injuries hold me back.

"I can’t wait to take part in the track day in June and meet other people who have been injured like I have and have their own amazing stories to tell. Four years on from the accident and life is finally looking brighter.”

Hundreds of people turned out to see the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new 10,000 square-foot shop in Abington Street, on the site of the former Primark.

The store features a high-end women's' boutique, a used white goods section and a Tardis fitted with a turntable to sample the shop's vinyl selection.

Chief of Salvation Army Commissioner Clive Adams, who opened the store at 11am today, said: "We've got stores all across the country but this is the first of its kind. It's so different for your idea of a charity shop.

"Many happy coincidences led to us opening in Northampton and we've very pleased to be here. The response here today has been jaw-dropping. I very hopeful this will bring many people to the town."

A Salvation Army brass band was on hand to help open the store as hundreds came to see the new store.

Other features include a cafe featuring equipment donated by Costa Coffee and a reading area with easy chairs.

One customer, Xaqueline Barnwell-Newman, 52, from Northampton, said: "I think it's smashing, much better than I expected.I hope it will bring more people up this end of town."

Gary Daly, 49, who was shopping with his son, said: “It was not what I was expecting. I thought everything would be more expensive but the products are a really good price. There is a good designer section and we will be coming back for sure.”

The store also serves as a link to access Salvation Army services with members of the charity's pastor permanently on site.

Store manager Jayne Sergeant said: "The community has come out to see us open and see the bargains in-store.

"We've had a great start. One woman bought 22 dresses so she could donate them to a school for their prom. We've already sold two sofas and a shed.

"I'm really pleased to be opening today. It's been a long time in the making."

For the first time, the AA has ranked destinations across England to reveal the regions, which offer the highest standards of hospitality.

Andrew Oxley, head of hotel and hospitality services at the AA said: “We hope this data will be useful for consumers when planning a summer holiday or short break in England.

"If a county scores over 80 per cent is should be regarded as outstanding, over 70 per cent is excellent and over 60 per cent is very good.

"We hope this information will highlight some of the very best hospitality experiences that England has to offer.”

Out of 47 regions, Northamptonshire has ranked in the top five places for hospitality, scoring 70 per cent, with Berkshire topping the overall chart, scoring 84 per cent.

Regions are ranked by their average rating across four categories; B&Bs, hotels, caravan and campsites and restaurants.

All establishments belong to the AA and/or Visit England quality assessment schemes, which provide star rankings and rosettes in accordance with their level of excellence.

Andrew Stokes, director at visit England said: “It’s exciting to combine the data from Visit England and the AA for the first time and to celebrate the destinations where we see accommodation achieving excellence in quality.

"We would like to encourage people to go and try a break somewhere they might not have considered before.”

Leaders from a Northampton youth group have thanked everyone who helped them to successfully complete the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge.

The quartet, who help run the 1st Blisworth Scout Group, climbed to the top of the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales all within 24 hours.

Scout group leaders Steven Smith, Pete Rock, Steve Watkins and Michelle Watkins accomplished the challenge climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and the feat travelling between them.

With all money raised going to buy the Group camping equipment, local construction firm, R G Carter, boosted the team with sponsorship of a van and fuel, enabling them to complete the challenge in 22 hours and 53 minutes and 53 seconds.

Leader Michelle Watkins who also works as a receptionist at R G Carter, said: “We would like to thank R G Carter for being supportive and providing us with the vehicle. “Without the van, we could not have completed this task in the amazing time in which we did.”

Michelle and her husband Steve provided support for the walkers, cooking, and driving the nearly 500 miles between locations, mountains and over 1,200 miles in total.

To add to the £339 already donated please visit www.mydonate.bt.com/events/1stblisworth3peaks/439429

An 18-year-old was seriously injured in a crash on the A6116 near Brigstock.

A silver Citroen Saxo was travelling towards Stanion, near Brigstock, on the A6116 at around 4.45pm on Tuesday (July 25) when, for unknown reasons, it crossed into the oncoming lane.

It then went back to the nearside lane, onto the verge and into the hedge.

The 18-year-old male passenger was taken to University Hospital Coventry by air ambulance with serious injuries and the 22-year-old male driver was taken to Kettering General Hospital with minor injuries.

Anyone with information or who witnessed this incident can contact the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

School children from two Northampton schools have been learning about life on the water thanks to Northampton Sea Cadets.

A dozen pupils from Years Five and Six at Standens Barn and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School have taken part in sailing sessions held by Sea Cadet volunteers.

Part of the Royal Yachting Association’s OnBoard project, the scheme aims to get more people aged 8 to 18 into sailing at a low cost, even if they live miles inland.

Lieutenant Chris Read, the Commanding Officer of Northampton Sea Cadets, said: “Seeing the pupils experience sailing for the first time is always one of the highlights of the year for us.

“Without OnBoard, it’s unlikely these youngsters would ever get the chance to do something like this and it’s really rewarding to see them develop during the course.

“Since we started the OnBoard project in 2009 we’ve helped a large number of young people from Northampton experience fun on the water for the first time and some have taken their involvement in the sport further as a result.”

Petty Officer Cadet Jade Rickard joined the Sea Cadets after experiencing sailing through the OnBoard project as a 10-year-old pupil at Weston Favell Primary School. Now 18, Jade has competed at sailing at a national level and become a Sea Cadet adult volunteer, returning as part of the team who teach youngsters at the Sea Cadets’ Nunn Mills Road headquarters by the River Nene.

Lt Read, added: “I’m hugely proud of Jade and all the Sea Cadet volunteers who have worked hard to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm.

“They can give so much back to the community.”

Witnesses are being sought after a man was assaulted in Wellingborough.

A 34-year-old man was assaulted in the Queensway area sometime between 8pm and 9pm on Tuesday, July 25.

A police spokesman said: “He sustained wounds to his arm and leg and received stitches at Kettering General Hospital.”

Anyone who was in the area at the time and saw the incident is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Schoolchildren, who created artwork to be displayed on the hoardings at the construction site of the University of Northampton’s new Waterside campus, have been recognised in a national competition.

The University, along with main building contractor Bowmer and Kirkland, called on schoolchildren around the county to create and submit pieces of eye catching artwork based around Northamptonshire’s culture and heritage to brighten up the building site.

Artistic entries were then judged and the best artists were invited down to paint the final designs onto the hoardings.

The winners, 112 pupils from Delapre Primary School and eleven children belonging to the Bowmer and Kirkland site team and other sub-contractors, had their pictures incorporated into the ‘Waterside Express’ – a train with carriages depicting the highlights of Northampton.

The outline of the design was drawn by Marvin Hagglar of Lemon Pop Workshops, a graduate from the University of Northampton, using the ideas from the children’s artwork to create the design in the carriages.

The Waterside Express was one of 70 entries submitted to the national Considerate Constructors Scheme for the Ivor Goodsite Hoarding Competition and was recently declared as one of the winners.

Nick McQuaid, Contracts Manager at Bowmer and Kirkland, said: “Well done to all those involved in creating this superb artwork.

“It is fantastic to be able to engage with the local community and schoolchildren during the construction of the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus and make long lasting positive impressions, and hopefully inspire some of these children to become the next generation of entrants into the construction industry.”

Harry Portrey, Headteacher of Delapre Primary School, added: “When our school was invited to provide art work and designs we jumped at the opportunity.

Over 200 children in seven classes were asked to contribute work with 100 children selected to take part in the decoration of the hoarding.

“The children loved every minute of it.”

A Northamptonshire firefighter has marked his approaching retirement after 31 years’ service by doing a charity bike ride in full breathing apparatus.

Paul Cushing joined Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) as an 18-year-old, serving at the Mounts station in Northampton for 20 years before joining Moulton’s Green Watch in 2006.

He decided to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity by undertaking a sponsored bike ride in his breathing apparatus and full firefighting kit, which weighs around 20kg.

Completing the ride Paul has so far raised more than £1,300.

He said: “I was going to do my route to work because I always cycle, rain or shine, but then I thought it would be nice to ride between Moulton and the Mounts.

“I chose the charity because they have really good rehabilitation centres for injured firefighters, those suffering serious illness, and their families.

“Touch wood- I’ve never had reason to need their support but lots of people I’ve served with have and they’ve been absolutely brilliant. This felt like a good chance to give something back.

“I’d originally thought about doing the ride on a unicycle, but even just on my regular bike I knew I’d get a few funny looks riding along in all my kit.

“The support I’ve had has been great, the fire service is like a family and I’ve made some great close friends over the years.”

Paul was accompanied on his round-trip ride of approximately nine miles by son Reece, sister-in-law Esme and colleague Kev Hardwick, plus wife Joanne who drove a back-up vehicle in case of punctures.

The group were waved off by Paul’s mum Linda, Laura Harden of The Fire Fighters Charity, and friends and colleagues from NFRS.

Other events to mark Paul’s retirement in September will include a charity rugby match between his team, Northampton Heathens RFC, and Mens Own FRC.

Mark Ainge, head of service delivery at NFRS, said: “Paul has been an invaluable team member, and he will be very much missed.”

To sponsor Paul, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-cushing

The man leading the force’s transformation towards tackling digital crime has warned that ‘benign’ searches for ripped-off versions of hit shows using the so-called “dark web” and Tor - a browser that allows people to access encrypted websites not available on Google - are opening young people up to a disturbing criminal underworld.

He said: “Kids will learn that from their peers. What some kids do is they have a laissez’ faire approach to law through watching say TV shows that aren’t available in their country.

“Even though anti-copyright legislation has really tightened up what appears on Google, the TOR browser doesn’t care.

“Even if you just want to watch some benign TV show that isn’t available legally in your jurisdiction, that is just the simple first step.

“That opens up the entire complexity of the dark web to you, which is a real concern.”

Simple searches of Tor reveal why its relatively easy access is worrying forces up and down the country.

A hit man offering services out of Birmingham, an Ebay-styled site allowing bulk purchase of Paypal accounts, a lone-hacker promising ‘ruining’ services, all accessible through a simple search on the Tor browser.

Johnston Press Investigations found hackers as young as 12 are being investigated by police and a recent National Crime Agency (NCA) in a sign that accessing the dark web can become a gateway to crime for impressionable young minds.

In a recent development through, criminal gangs are now actively using the wide spread of hardcore pornography to blackmail users.

“The ads will say things like ‘hey want a live chat?’” said Mr Clifford. “It looks like a video, but what it is doing is depositing some code onto your computer which is taking over your web cam, turning it on and filming you masturbate.

“This is then relayed to the users themselves by saying ‘we know who you are and we will then share it with your friends, with your workplace, unless you pay us £50’.”

But Mr Clifford said the one of the biggest challenges facing police tackling such rackets is under-reporting

“That’s a big area,” he said. “That sort of crime, we just don’t know how big that number is.

“Some people will come forward but they are often ashamed of their actions.

“If you were faced with the option of paying 50 quid or going to tell the police about what has happened to you, many see the ransom as the easier option.”

Daniel Butcher, 30, of St James was allegedly hit in a one-punch assault outside the Bantam Pub in Abington Square at around 3.10am, on Sunday, June 25 and still remains in critical condition more than one month on.

Three close friends of Daniel: Danny Mackintosh, Mark Handley and Darren Wright are now hosting a charity football match in St Michaels Football Club, Bugbrooke this Sunday, July 30 to raise money for the victim's family so they can fund trips to and from University Hospital Coventry.

The 11 a-side match is kicking off at 10.30am with Daniel's son, Mikey Butcher, 11, coaching one of the teams.

So far 20 adults have signed up to play.

During the match bouncy castles and candy floss stalls will be set up for youngsters before players make their way to the Devonshire Club in St James - Daniel's local - for a disco and raffle.

Other players are welcomed to join in and can play for £10 each, while supporters are asked to pay £3 to spectate while children go free.

So far 272 kind-hearted fundraisers have pledged £8,215 to Daniel's family.

To continue donating, click: https://www.gofundme.com/6x8kt-family-support