Newsletter – December 2025

Leading organisations across the county have committed to keeping women’s safety at the heart of the workplace by signing up to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner’s new safety pledge.

Danielle Stone has launched the Women’s Charter as part of her public safety plan to help halve violence against women and girls in Northamptonshire.

The Charter includes a free toolkit with practical steps – such as survey support, bespoke training packages and policy guidance – to prevent harm and capture the changes women want to see.

Already, 20 county organisations – including a railway operator, football club, and business improvement districts – have signed up to show they are serious to create inclusive spaces and take reporting seriously.

Mark Thompson, Customer Experience Manager, at London Northwestern Railway was one of Danielle’s first signatories.

Mark said: “The Women’s Charter is something we wanted to get on board with immediately. “It aligns with everything we’re looking to do at the railway, which is to help protect people while they travel.

“What we will look to do is roll out the Toolkit training to all our staff, within company time, and get the message out to passengers so we can be a place where people feel they can come and be supported.

“It’s fantastic that Danielle reached out to us, and we are happy to work alongside her on this cause.”

To register your interest, sign-up and contribute towards change, visit our website.

Fire crews have visited shopping centres across the county to make sure shops are safe from fire hazards in the busy build up to Christmas.

Over the last few weeks, crews from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have been collaborating with individual retailers to ensure that Christmas stock deliveries are not blocking fire doors or escape routes or obscuring sprinkler systems.

More than 200 retail units have been checked in shopping centres including the Grosvenor Centre and Weston Favell in Northampton, Swansgate in Wellingborough, Newlands in Kettering, and Willow Place in Corby.

Firefighters were accompanied by members of the Fire Service’s Protection Team, who were on hand to give expert advice on fire safety to retailers.

The Grosvenor Centre praised the Fire Service’s ‘strong partnership approach’, saying: “We are pleased to support Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service with their proactive fire safety work in the centre this month. The safety and wellbeing of our shoppers, staff, and community is our highest priority, and we value this strong partnership approach, particularly at such a busy time of year. We appreciate the work the crews are doing to help ensure a safe and enjoyable festive season for everyone.”

Danielle added: “Strong partnership working is hugely important for building safer communities across Northamptonshire. I am delighted that the Fire Service has been working proactively to ensure our shopping centres are safe for both customers and staff this festive season.”

The Christmas visits to shopping centres have been delivered during the Safer Streets Winter of Action campaign, which is being led through the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone and supported by the Home Office – to create safer, thriving town centres and make a lasting difference to communities.

Improving fire safety in the buildings where people live and work is also one of the key strategic priorities for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Protection Team visits more than 1,000 premises every year to help achieve this.

Head of Protection, Scott Richards, said: “It’s important for us to work proactively with businesses to identify any hazards and make sure they are rectified.

“The checks that have our fire crews carry out also help them to gather intelligence which can help them to prepare and plan for any emergencies they may be called to at those premises.”

Businesses can contact the Protection Team for specialist advice, and to receive a bespoke safety approach, by emailing fireprotection@northantsfire.gov.uk or calling 01604 797 000.

Danielle Stone emphasised that rural crime is about more than stolen equipment: “Rural crime threatens livelihoods and communities and is often linked to organised criminal gangs. We must work together – farmers, NFU, and policing teams – to share intelligence, strengthen prevention, and make rural areas a difficult and risky place for criminals to operate.”

Following the meeting, the Commissioner visited Overstone Grange Farm to hear first-hand about the financial and emotional toll rural crime takes on farmers. The Rural Crime Team shared practical prevention measures, including asset logging, installing cameras and sensors, and reporting all incidents.

Nationally, the NPCC has launched a three-year Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy using intelligence-led policing and crime mapping to target hotspots and dismantle organised crime groups. Locally, Northamptonshire Police is investing in visibility and prevention to keep rural communities safe.

Rural partnerships matter

Northamptonshire Police’s Neighbourhood and Rural Crime Team works hard to prevent crime and reassure rural communities. From tackling hare coursing and livestock theft to recovering stolen GPS systems from farm machinery, their work is vital to keeping our county safe.

Prevention is key

Farmers are encouraged to report all incidents, log equipment details, and use visible deterrents like cameras and sensors. Every report helps build intelligence and strengthens the fight against organised crime. “We’re sending a clear message: rural Northamptonshire is not an easy target. Every camera, every locked gate, every report makes it harder for criminals to operate. Together, we can shut the door on crime.” Johnny Davis-Lyons, Neighbourhood Policing Inspector.

The bigger picture

• Rural crime costs the UK millions every year
• 82% of rural crime offenders are linked to other criminal activity
• GPS theft from farm machinery is a growing trend
• Fly-tipping and hare coursing remain major concerns
• Organised gangs are increasingly behind large-scale rural offences

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone is asking for your views before setting the council tax precept – the part of your council tax bill that funds Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Local police and fire services are funded through a mix of government grants and the council tax precept, which makes up around 18% of a total council tax bill in Northamptonshire. A public consultation is now open to ask how much people are willing to pay to support these vital services next year (2026/27).

Government guidance on precept limits is expected soon, but the Commissioner is seeking views on an expected increase of £14 a year for policing and £5 a year for fire for a Band D property.

Danielle said: “It’s never easy to ask for more money, but it’s my responsibility to set the precept for Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. I must balance the impact on taxpayers against the need to invest in these important public services so that they can deliver on the public’s priorities.”

The Commissioner’s Safe and Sound Plan, shaped by public consultation, sets out strategic priorities for both services: visibility, accessibility, and engagement with local communities.

Danielle said: “Without the contribution that local people make through their council tax, we can’t deliver better services. Before I set the level for next year, I really want to hear from the public.”

The survey is open until midday on Monday 5 January 2026. Have your say here: www.research.net/r/OPFCCPR25

Why your views matter

Your council tax precept helps fund:

• Police visibility – neighbourhood officers in your community
• Fire safety – new stations and appliances
• Town centre policing hubs – Corby, Kettering, Towcester
• Emergency response improvements

Key Facts:

• Precept = 18% of your council tax bill
• Proposed increase: £14 for policing, £5 for fire (Band D)
• Consultation closes: 5 January 2026