The successful policing initiative known as Operation Kayak, which aims to help keep people safe on weekend nights out, continues as usual over the festive period.
The proactive operation introduced by Northamptonshire Police in 2021 is designed to reduce offending, safeguard the public, and protect against sexual aggression, harassment, inappropriate and predatory behaviours.
Police officers will be out and about, undertaking proactive hot spot patrols on Friday and Saturday nights in Northampton and Kettering during December, and on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
This Christmas, the policing team will once again be supported by Kettering Street Pastors and the Northampton Guardians, volunteers who work on the Safer Nights Out Van (SNO Van), which is a customised minibus used as a safe place to support people who may be vulnerable or in need of help on a night out.
Since its inception, the Operation Kayak patrols have proved to be extremely effective at reducing offending behaviour and in safeguarding the vulnerable.
Detective Chief Inspector Nickie Deeks said: “We want people to come into town centres over the festive period and have a great, fun night out with friends and family. Op Kayak officers will be actively deployed and patrolling in Kettering and Northampton to help everyone safely enjoy their Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“Our officers will challenge inappropriate behaviours, look out for individuals who are being sexually aggressive, or intimidating, or whose behaviour causes concern. They will be watching for people loitering or driving around the town without reason, men repeatedly approaching women in the street, invading their personal space, or making them feel uncomfortable.
“Officers will also actively keep a close eye out for individuals with known offending histories and risk factors.”
The Op Kayak team work closely with pubs and clubs and with door staff, so that patrons remain safe, and any concerning behaviours can be quickly flagged and dealt with. The officers liaise with the Safer Nights Out Van (SNO van) volunteers, to ensure the vulnerable are looked after and safeguarded.
The SNO Vans were set up and are funded by the Northamptonshire Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
The Northampton SNO Van is parked near the Market Square and Bridge Street in the Town Centre between the hours of 10pm and up to 5am on Fridays, Saturdays, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.
The Northampton SNO Van is operated by Northampton Guardians and since the scheme began in 2021, the Guardians – who are all volunteers, have given more than 10 thousand hours to keep people safe, helping more than 2000 people.
Gill Goodship, one of the Guardians, finds volunteering on the van rewarding: “Even on a cold, wet, very quiet night in town, if we can make a difference to just one person, it is worthwhile us being there.”
The Kettering SNO Van was launched last year, operated by Kettering Street Pastors who have 13 years of experience patrolling the town. The 65 volunteers have dedicated 2000 hours of their time helping people in Kettering Town Centre just this year. Three to four volunteers staff the van from 11pm to 3am on Saturday nights, and have further patrols on payday Fridays, Boxing Day and New Years Eve.
Both vans provide a safe haven to anyone that feels vulnerable or needs assistance. They offer warmth, water, phone charging facilities, first aid and emotional support to anyone that needs it.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone is pleased with the results of the SNO Vans: “I would like to thank all the volunteers and police officers who have dedicated their time to helping vulnerable people and safeguarding women in our communities. Everyone should be able to have a fun and safe time while out in our town centres and know that they are being looked out for and have options for help should they need it.
“The SNO Vans are a great asset to our night time economy, and I am so pleased to hear that they have and continue to help so many people.”
DCI Deeks said: “We are all working hard to protect the public by being a visible presence, and to help make sure our town centres are safe and comfortable places for everyone to visit at night. We are enormously grateful to the volunteers supporting this work, they do a really a fantastic job.
“Having the SNO Van deployed during busy periods in Northampton and Kettering is hugely beneficial. It’s an excellent resource for people who may be vulnerable. It’s somewhere central and safe to go to, manned by specially trained personnel.”
Help on a night out
If you need help on a night out, speak to venue or door staff, Street Pastors, the Northampton Guardians, or police officers.
Help is also available via the Safer Nights Out (SNO) van, between 10pm and 5am every Friday and Saturday – and on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
If you see any behaviours that concern you on a night out, tell venue staff immediately or call the police.
Report non-emergency crime via 101 or online at www.northants.police.uk/RO, or in an emergency, always call 999.
Advice for staying safe on a night out
In an ideal world, we wouldn’t need to share this advice, but sadly there are people who may look to take advantage of you on a night out, so:
- Be aware of what and how much you are drinking – tolerance for alcohol varies according to a range of factors.
- Always look after your drinks. Don’t leave them unattended, don’t take drinks from strangers or pick up drinks at random – you have no way of knowing what’s in them.
- Stick with your friends – keep an eye on each other and have a plan for getting home safely.
- If you have any concerns about someone’s behaviour or wellbeing, report it immediately to venue staff or to police.
- Find more advice here: Tips for making other people feel safer on the streets | Northamptonshire Police
