More than 16,000 people in Northamptonshire are expected to be living with dementia by 2030, double the number now, according to the county council.

Public consultation has started on new plans to help shape the way different organisations tackle the condition. The three-year strategy aims to improve the level of care recevied by sufferers.

NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS Corby CCG and Northamptonshire County Council have now developed a draft strategy in partnership with the Northamptonshire Dementia Strategy Group and other third sector organisations to act as a road map for commissioning and service re-design.

The strategy will focus on the following objectives:

To develop a local dementia strategy for Nene CCG, Corby CCG and Northamptonshire County Council

To meet or exceed the centrally prescribed dementia diagnosis rate of 66.7% (for Nene CCG by March 2016 and maintain the Corby CCG diagnosis rate of 88%)

To ensure access to post-diagnosis support with a dementia care and advice service

To develop intermediate care pathways for people with dementia to enable them to maintain or regain the ability to live independently in their own home

To improve dementia carer support

To improve end-of-life care for people with dementia

To develop options for housing support, housing-related services and telecare to support people with dementia and their carers

To develop a sustainable dementia care home market that delivers quality assurance

The strategy aims to provide an overarching statement of how health and social care organisations can best meet the needs of dementia patients in the county.

Councillor Suresh Patel, county council cabinet member for adult social care, said: “In Northamptonshire there are around 8,000 people with dementia. That figure is expected to double by 2030, which is why it is vital that we have good services in place to offer help and support.

“I would urge anyone who is affected by dementia, including carers and health professionals, to take part in this consultation and help us shape this important strategy which sets out our proposals for dementia care.”

Geraldine McMurdie, dementia commissioner for Nene CCG, Corby CCG and Northamptonshire County Council, said: “We are committed to improving the outcomes that people with dementia and their carers.

“We want to ensure that services are designed around our patients needs and that these services support patients to live as independently as possible.

“We want people to experience care and support that is personalised and coordinated, delivered in the right place at the right time.”

Shoppers are being urged to visit a travelling health bus this week to share their views on local health services.

As part of a their Summer Listening Events Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation responsible for buying local healthcare services for the residents of Northamptonshire, will be visiting Daventry, Kettering and Wellingborough supermarkets on Wednesday, August 5.

They want to talk to as many shoppers as possible to find out what they believe would be the most helpful change to local health services to improve patient and carer experience as well as finding out how services and information could be changed to empower individuals and carers to play a greater, more positive role in health care issues.

The health bus will be making the following stops:

9am to 11am Tesco car park, New Street, Daventry;

midday to 2pm Tesco car park, Turnells Mill Lane, Wellingborough;

2.30pm to 4.30pm, Morrisons car park, Lower Street, Kettering.

Nene CCG began their listening engagement events in early July and attended patient group meetings in Northampton, Kettering, Towcester and Rushden.

The events were focused on specific health care issues – dementia, diabetes and cancer.

A spokesman for Nene CCG said “The response to our listening events has been excellent and the feedback we have received will help us to reshape our services to put patients at the centre of all we do and to better meet the health and social care needs of the future.

“This time we are going out to our communities to listen more on their views on all health services.

“We encourage people to come and meet us and share their experiences and ideas.”

There are a number of ways people can get involved, for example if you cannot attend an event you can still have your say by joining the Nene membership.

You will be sent updates on events and invitations to participate in surveys etc.

To become a member visit {http://www.neneccg.nhs.uk/membership/|http://www.neneccg.nhs.uk/membership/|}.

Students looking for accommodation ahead of the new term starting in September are being warned against rental fraud.

The advice has been posted by Northamptonshire Community Connect, part of the county police force.

A spokesperson said: “Fraudsters use a variety of websites to advertise available properties to rent. often at attractive rates and convenient locations. Adverts will seem genuine, accompanied by a number of photos and contact information to discuss your interest.

“Due to demand, students will often agree to pay upfront fees to secure the property quickly, without viewing the property, only to discover that the fraudster posing as the landlord does not have ownership of the property, or often there are already tenants living there,” the spokesperson added.

The group offers advice for anyone looking to rent:

* Only use reputable letting companies.

* Do some online research such as using Google maps to check the property does exist.

* Make an appointment to view the property in person.

* Always view the property prior to paying any advance fees.

* Look out for warning signs, such as landlords requesting a ‘holding deposit’ due to the property being in high demand.

* A landlord will usually conduct some due diligence on any successful applicant. Be wary of handing over cash without the landlord requesting employment or character references.

For more information, call ActionFraud on 0300 1232040.

Farmers are being urged to be on the alert to avoid becoming a victim of an arson attack.

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, Northamptonshire Police and the CLA are urging the county’s farmers to take some precautionary steps.

Straw stacks are typically targeted during July and October, and these fires cost farming businesses thousands of pounds – as well as causing huge disruption to rural communities.

CLA Eastern Regional Surveyor Claire Wright said: “The summertime and harvest are exceptionally busy times on farms in the county and across the region. Deliberate fire setting causes untold problems for farmers – and the people involved show no thought of the consequences.

“Deliberate straw stack fires destroy important material used in arable and livestock farming – it’s not just a by-product. They can spread rapidly, threatening buildings, livestock, machinery, and, potentially, human lives.

“These fires also keep fire and police service personnel tied up for hours when they may be needed to attend an emergency elsewhere.

“We hope by raising awareness with the county’s Police and Fire and Rescue teams we can reduce the number of these incidents.”

Mick Rodden of the Northamptonshire Arson Task Force, a partnership between the county’s Police and Fire & Rescue Service, said: “Farmers know their business, but we remind them to be wary of placing straw stacks near buildings.

“When choosing a site for the stack think carefully, is it near to a public highway or footpath where the public have easy access? Choosing a suitable location can reduce the chances of arson.

“We would also request they do not build stacks near electricity pylons or beneath overhead power cables.”

Arson prevention advice compiled by Northamptonshire Arson Task Force can be downloaded from: http://www.cla.org.uk/sites/default/files/PDF%20Documents/Eastern/Stack%20fires%20prevention.pdf.

Six new electric vehicles are to be put in place at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust sites across the county.

They will be at three trust premises, Berrywood Hospital in Duston, Northampton, Campbell House in Northampton and St. Mary’s Hospital in Kettering.

Each of these locations will have two permanently-based EVs; one of which will be used exclusively by the trust during business hours (and made available to the public at evenings and weekends) and the other which will be available for private use at all times.

Electrical hook-ups are also available at Isebrook Hospital in Wellingborough, Willowbrook Health Centre in Corby and Manfield Campus in Northampton.

By operating a fleet of vehicles which omit zero carbon, they are able to conduct business travel in a way which has no negative effects on local air quality, and by reducing the need for pool cars or staff use of their own vehicles, they’re also taking cars off the road which has a positive impact on congestion and parking pressure throughout the county.

Chairman of the trust Paul Bertin, said: “I am absolutely delighted that we at Northamptonshire Healthcare have taken this significant step forward and are the first NHS trust in the county to provide such a service for our staff and the public.

“As a trust we have made a commitment to reduce our carbon footprint by 28% by 2020 and by encouraging our staff to park up their own vehicle and use an electric vehicle for business travel will help us move towards achieving this target. Looking after the environment is everyone’s responsibility. Providing such a countywide service for our staff and the Northamptonshire public will further raise the profile of sustainability and how we can all do more for our environment.”

The fleet has been provided by E-Car Club Ltd, a UK-wide operator of similar schemes.

In November last year, E-Car Club launched in the centre of Northampton in partnership with Northamptonshire County Council and the Royal & Derngate theatre, with the latest launch bringing the total number of locations across the county to four, with more potential locations also in the pipeline.

E-Car Club managing director, Chris Morris said: “Our model has been proven to benefit businesses, local authorities and local communities in multiple locations across the UK, and it is somewhat humbling to collaborate with an organisation with care, wellbeing and community at the heart of its values as this mirrors so many of E-Car’s social objectives and beliefs.

The trust’s fleet consists of a combination of Renault ZOE and Nissan LEAF fully electric hatchbacks, with an average range of 90 miles on a single charge.

Membership criteria to be allowed to use the cars is:

- over 19 years of age, been driving for more than one year, no more than 6 points on license and no serious driving convictions or fault accidents within the last three years.

- There is a one-off joining fee of £50 which covers a DVLA license check, provision of a membership card and access to the online booking system, allowing 24/7 self-service across the fleet. Members can access any vehicles on the E-Car network.

Northamptonshire Police is currently carrying out 28 investigations into suspected Child Exploitation (CSE) crimes, new figures have revealed.

The county force launched the campaign earlier this year in an attempt to improve public awareness of CSE and, since then, arrests have doubled from four in March to eight in June.

The number of live investigations being conducted by the specialist Reducing incidents of child sexual exploitation (RISE) team is now running at 28.

Referrals to the RISE team have also increased from 10 in March to 19 in June.

There were also 3,874 unique hits to the new Northampton Safeguarding Children’s Board (NSCB) website during the campaign period.

Assistant Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet said: “We want to increase referrals and reports of CSE. CSE like all sexual offences is under reported and we need to give people confidence to report these crimes to use.

“We have invested in training and resources across the county but we are not being complacent. There is much more to do to prevent CSE, safeguard victims and tackle perpetrators‎.

“Child abuse has a devastating ‎impact on the victim and we need to continue to raise awareness so people understand the signs of child abuse and report incidents to us. We cannot tolerate this appalling abuse of children and we need to all open our eyes to it.

“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 - there is no greater priority for Northamptonshire Police.”

Northamptonshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, said Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue across the UK and was a “local priority”.

He said: “CSE is often hidden from view with vulnerable young people groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatised and scarred for life.

“Victims need to be listened to and believed. Perpetrators need to be disrupted, prosecuted, and brought to justice for their actions and the force is dramatically improving its response to tackling this horrendous crime along with its partner agencies.

“Child sexual exploitation is the rape and abuse of children and we need to tackle it as just that and no less, which is why I placed £1 million into this area of work that will be ring-fenced to help support victims of crime, including those affected by child sexual exploitation.”

Northamptonshire Sport is looking for your vote in the annual awards to celebrate those who ‘make sport happen’ in the county.

If you have been inspired by a local athlete; motivated by a coach; proud of your club; want to celebrate your team success, then nominate them now and reward those who make sport happen in Northamptonshire.

Now in their 11th year, the awards showcase the very best of sporting talent and dedication in Northamptonshire. Short-listers will receive an exclusive invite to the prestigious Northamptonshire Sports Awards ceremony organised by Northamptonshire Sport, where county winners will be announced and celebrated in style.

Alongside the county awards, there are district awards in Corby, Daventry, Kettering and Northampton. Winners from these awards are put forward, alongside nominations from other parts of the county for consideration by the Northamptonshire Sports Awards Panel.

Chris Holmes, director of Northamptonshire Sport, said: “Our annual Northamptonshire Sports Awards highlight those making outstanding contributions to sport and physical activity in our county. It is their passion and effort that keeps Northamptonshire at the forefront of sport and activity and they are the local heroes inspiring the next generation.”

He added: “We are very proud to run the Northamptonshire Sports Awards, they showcase the tremendous work of the sports people, clubs, volunteers and various organisations that do so much to promote sport in the county.”

“The Awards are your chance to celebrate your sporting heroes and those who have made outstanding contributions to sport and physical activity in Northamptonshire by nominating them now.”

The 2015 Northamptonshire Sports Awards are sponsored by Everyone Active and the Award Categories reflect the excellent achievements of both the community and performance side of sport.

The awards are listed below:

* Community Club of the Year

* Community Team of the year (sponsored by Mercedes AMG Petronas)

* Performance Team of the Year

* Community Coach of the Year

* Performance Coach of the Year (sponsored by Moulton College)

* Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by The University of Northampton)

* Primary Sport School of the Year (sponsored by Create Development)

* Secondary Sport School of the Year (sponsored by Create Development)

* Active Workplace Award

* Sports Project of the Year

* Get Active

* Young Leader of the year

* Young Sportswoman of the Year

* Young Sportsman of the Year (sponsored by Tresham College)

* Disabled Sports Achiever of the Year (sponsored by Wellingborough Norse)

* Local Sportswoman of the Year (sponsored by Ricoh UK)

* Local Sportsman of the Year (sponsored by Everyone Active)

* Long time contribution to sport (sponsored by Decathlon)

* Sports Photograph of the Year (NEW award for 2015)

If you would like to nominate an individual or club please complete the nomination form at www.northamptonshiresport.org/sportsawards or call Northamptonshire Sport for more information on 01604 366976. Get your nominations in by Friday September 25, 2015.

The final award is the Northamptonshire Sports Personality 2015 (sponsored by Travis Perkins). This year there is a fantastic line up of contenders from across the county who have all excelled at the highest level in their sport over the past year. The nominees are:

* Hannah Barnes - Cycling

* Chantelle Cameron – Boxing

* Callum Clark – Northampton Saints RFC.

* Lucy Hatton – Athletics

* Charley Hull – Golf

* Daniel Keatings – Gymnastics

* Meghan MacLaren – Golf

* Mark Richards – Northampton Town Football Club

* Eleanor Robinson – Disability swimming

* Jamie Walker – Bowls

* David Willey – Northamptonshire County Cricket Club / Steelbacks

Voting for the Sports Personality of the Year is open to everyone in the County and can be done via www.northamptonshiresport.org/sportsawards

The awards will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 12.

Northamptonshire Sport would like to thank their sponsors for their continued support in helping to run this great celebration of sport in the county. For further sponsorship opportunities please contact Northamptonshire Sport on 01604 366976 or email info@northamptonshiresport.org

Scouts from Northamptonshire have visited the Peace Park at Hiroshima, the site where the first atomic bomb was dropped 70 years ago.

The Scouts are representing the United Kingdom at the 23rd World Scout Jamboree in Japan.

Taking a break from the vibrant main Jamboree site with its 30,000 participants the Northamptonshire group have been taking part in a moving visit to the Peace Park in the Centre of Hiroshima. This part of the Jamboree programme takes Scouts in mixed groups from almost every nation on earth to experience the solemn and reflective atmosphere created in the Peace Park.

Scout leader Louise Bailey, from Unit 39 “The Cobblers” jamboree contingent, said: “The main Jamboree has been really awesome but this experience will give each and every one of our participating Scouts a chance to reflect upon the need to understand and respect cultural and religious differences and to take practical action to build a more peaceful and tolerant world.

“The first step in this work is to building long-lasting friendships around experiences like this. Since joining the movement as a leader I have had some fantastic experiences but this turning out to be the most thought provoking and moving experience of my life.”

Explorer Scout Ben Prestidge spoke from the ‘Hiroshima Peace Park’: “This has been very moving experience, as a young person I have a duty to make sure that things like this must never happened gain.

“A good way of making that a reality is to learn to respect and understand others cultures, religions and customs.

“When you have lived and worked together for two weeks and shared food and drink it’s really helps understand where people are coming from. That’s why this jamboree is such an important experience,” he added.

The World Scout Jamboree runs until August 8. The unit from Northamptonshire are then visiting the homes of other Scouts across Japan before returning to the UK.

A former Brackley town councillor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl.

Stuart Dancer, aged 66, of Ellesmere Close in Brackley, was a Brackley Town councillor from May 2003 until May 2007.

After a trial at Northampton Crown Court, a jury unanimously found him guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Brackley in April last year

Dancer will be sentenced at a hearing in September.

The former town councillor appeared in the Brackley and Towcester Advertiser in 2011 when he submitted plans to build a service station, hotel and restaurant on a four-and-a-half acre plot he owned with his brother-in-law.

But it was refused because developing the ‘out of town’ site on the A43 between Buckingham Road and the Tesco roundabout would be ‘detrimental to the character of surrounding countryside’.

Hundreds of teenagers from across Northamptonshire are spending their summer holidays giving back to their local communities and developing key life skills as part of the National Citizen Service (NCS).

NCS, which began on July 20th 2015, is a government-backed initiative that gives 16-17 year olds the opportunity to build vital skills likes teamwork, leadership and confidence while taking on new challenges, meeting new people and contributing to their local community.

Phil Everett, communications manager for NCS in Lincolnshire, Rutland, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire, known as NCS EM1, said: “We’re halfway through our summer programme and everyone is having an amazing time!

“The teens have just completed their adventure weeks and taste of student life, which focuses on developing vital skills and taking part in CV building workshops. The next two weeks will give them the opportunity to plan and implement a social action project that will benefit their hometowns.”

Kerris Cronin-Harrold, 16 from Northampton, who is currently taking part in NCS, said: “It’s been really fun so far. I’ve met so many new people and joined in activities like orienteering and rock climbing, but I’m looking forward to experiencing what university will be like and knowing that my experience on NCS will help me in the future.”

“I’ve had such an amazing time on NCS! My favourite part has definitely been that I could experience new things that I wouldn’t have otherwise! Plus, everyone has been so friendly and welcoming and I’ve made some great new friends!”

“Taking part in NCS has encouraged me to come out of my shell and really pushed me to take on challenges I never thought I could! I now feel much more confident in my skills and abilities heading into applying for university.”

The summer programme includes a week of team-building activities such as archery and rock climbing, an away-from-home residential featuring skill-building workshops and a social action project that offers participants a chance to give back to their local communities.

Kerris continued: “If I hadn’t taken part in NCS, I would’ve been sat at home, lazing about this summer. Instead, I feel like I’ve done something productive by helping other people. If I hadn’t joined the programme, I wouldn’t have made so many new friends or built up my confidence.”

“I’d recommend NCS to anyone thinking about joining! If I hadn’t signed up, I would’ve just been bored at home playing on my Xbox, but instead I’ve made loads of new friends and got to take part in amazing activities, all of which will really help me to prepare for my future.”

Phil added: “For anyone who was unable to join in this summer, don’t worry! We’ve started to take sign ups for our Autumn programme, which takes place during the October half term. All you need to do to register your interest is visit, www.ncsem1.org.uk.”

For more information or to sign up, please contact Phil Everett on 01522 574152 or phil.everett@eblo.org.uk or visit www.facebook.com/NCSEM1 and www.ncsem1.org.uk.

A taxi driver was robbed and threatened with a knife by a man in Daventry.

The incident happened in Chantelle Court off Hemans Road on the Headlands on the evening of Sunday, 24 May. Northamptonshire Police released the details today, Tuesday August 4.

The offender, who made off with £20, was a white man, about 5ft9ins, of slim build with a shaved head. He had a cleft palate and an eastern European accent.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have any information about this incident or who may recognise the description of the offender.

Witnesses or anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Anyone travelling to London should plan ahead as a further 24-hour strike by Underground workers is to go ahead from Wednesday evening in a bitter row over plans for all-night tubes.

This latest strike action threatens a fresh bout of travel chaos for commuters and tourists.

The drivers’ union Aslef accused LU of being “completely inflexible” over terms and conditions for the service, leaving it with “no other choice” than to press ahead with the walkout.

The union said the company should postpone the planned launch of the service on 12 September so that further negotiations could be held.

Aslef officer Finn Brennan said: “This leaves us with no other choice than to go ahead with strike action from 9.30pm on Wednesday (August 5).

“We genuinely regret the disruption this will cause, but the blame for this must rest with the pig-headed determination of the mayor to insist on a September 12 launch of night Tube instead of allowing more time for a negotiated settlement to be reached.”

Other union members are due to strike from 6.30pm, meaning that disruption will start late in the afternoon as workers try to get home to beat the action.

London travel information

Transport for London said Tube services will stop running at 6.30pm on Wednesday, and urged people to complete journeys by this time and travel earlier if possible.

Tube services are expected to be “exceptionally busy” between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

Staff on the bus network, DLR, London Overground, tram and TfL Rail services will not be on strike, but these services are expected to be much busier than usual.

There will be no Tube services all day on Thursday. Extra bus and river services will run, and all other public transport services and roads will be much busier than usual.

Latest information and advice can be found on {https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/tube/tube-strike|the Transport for London website tfl.gov.uk|go to tfl.gov.uk}, or {http://www.twitter.com/TfLTravelAlerts|follow @TfLTravelAlerts on Twitter|go to twitter.com}.

A menswear shop in the Grosvenor Centre has closed down under a year after it opened.

OPEN on the ground floor of the shopping centre opened in October last year and was a new venture by JD Sports to deliver ‘simple no-nonsense’ menswear.

But just six months later closing down signs went up in the window of the store.

A closing down sale has been running ever since with OPEN finally closing this week.

It is one of 11 OPEN store across the country that has closed and JD Sports has said it will now focus on its sports brand.

OPEN replaced La Senza after the lingerie shop closed in 2014.

It is not yet known what will replace OPEN.

****Read more about a new shop that has opened next to OPEN****

{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/business/business-news/new-gift-and-gadget-store-for-men-opens-in-northampton-s-grosvenor-centre-1-6886013|Mankind opens in Northampton|}

Two-thirds of adults in Northamptonshire are overweight or obese, according to new statistics revealed as part of the county council’s 20 Million Steps campaign.

Northamptonshire County Council is aiming to tackle the issue by encouraging more people to get active.

The 20 Million Steps weekend will take place from September 18th to 20th and the county council is asking people to go for a walk over the weekend and record how many steps they take.

During last year’s inaugural event, residents across the county clocked up a massive 24,177,082 steps with 7,000 people taking part.

This year the county council is hoping to beat the total by encouraging even more people to take part.

Councillor Robin Brown, county council cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “We all know that physical activity is good for us and taking a walk is one of the easiest ways to do that.

“Last year we were delighted to see families, school and community groups, work colleagues and individuals all taking part in the 20 Million Steps event, and 80 per cent of them told us it would make them likely to walk more often.

“This year we want to see even more people stepping out for the event. It doesn’t matter where you do your walk, but we do want people log their steps on our 20 Million Steps website and help us to smash last year’s total,” he said.

People will be able to pick up a free pedometer at any of Northamptonshire County Council’s country parks over the 20 Million Steps weekend, while county libraries will be organising walking activities and workplaces will also be holding their own group walks.

Walkers are being invited to share pictures of their walk on Twitter using the hashtag #20msteps.

To find out more about the event, including how to log your steps, visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/20millionsteps.

A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital after a crash on the A421 yesterday afternoon (Wednesday).

At around 4.45pm on the Bletchley Road in Thornborough, at the junction with Padbury Road, a red and black Suzuki motorcycle was travelling along the A421 towards Buckingham when it was involved in a crash with a white Mini which pulled out of Padbury Road.

The motorcyclist, aged 42, from Northamptonshire, was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford from the scene.

He sustained serious injuries but is currently in a stable condition.

The driver of the Mini, a woman aged 48, and also from Northamptonshire, was taken to Milton Keynes Hospital by ambulance.

Her injuries are minor and she has since been discharged from hospital.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have seen any of the vehicles involved before the collision is asked to call Thames Valley Police on the non emergency number 101 and quote the URN 1006 5/8/15.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The steel framework of the new Barwell Stand at Franklin’s Gardens has now been largely completed, the club has confirmed.

A spokesman for Northampton Saints said the past week had been “a hive of activity”.

“Steelwork is now up for the entire width of the pitch, with the wraparound into the Church’s Stand now under way,” he said.

“Meanwhile the concrete base for the seating deck is beginning to arrive and be put in place, starting from the corner closest to the Saints Ticket Office.

“Elsewhere in the main stadium work has now begun on the installation of some 4G artificial surfacing that will run on both sides of the main grass pitch between the touchline and the running tracks in front of the Tetley’s and Church’s stands,” the spokesman added.

“This surface will eliminate the wear and tear on the parts of the pitch which have traditionally become the most worn due to heavy use during the course of the season from the likes of assistant referees, ball boys, medical staff and television personnel,” the spokesman for the Saints said.

Northamptonshire Police has launched a campaign to recruit more officers from ethnic minorities.

Latest figures show that across Northamptonshire, eight per cent of residents describe themselves as being black or minority ethnic (BME).

But within Northamptonshire Police, the number of police officers who describe themselves as BME is just under four per cent.

In a bid to increase the amount of officers from ethnic minorities, a campaign has been launched today to recruit more police officers from a variety of different backgrounds, as well as more female officers.

Inspector Inam Khan, the force’s equality and diversity officer, said: “Northamptonshire Police has a strong commitment to equality and in order to effectively tackle crime and bring offenders to justice, we must reflect, understand and enjoy the trust and confidence of all the communities we serve.

“So we want to recruit the best talent from the widest pool of people possible, that’s why we’re actively encouraging people from all backgrounds to consider applying to become a police officer in Northamptonshire.”

Northamptonshire Police is one of few forces across the country currently recruiting police officers and is aiming to fill an intake in September 2016.

The county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, has also pledged to maintain the number of officers in the force at 1,220 – the number who were in the job when he was elected in 2012.

As part of the campaign, a number of ‘positive action’ recruitment events will be held at the force’s headquarters in Northampton over the coming months.

To attend an event, email workforce.planning@northamptonshire.pnn.police.uk or write to: Workforce Planning, Human Resources, Northamptonshire Police, Force Headquarters, Wootton Hall Park, Northampton, NN4 OJQ.

Northamptonshire’s highways chief has defended the approved Moulton bypass plan after the scheme was knocked for being “badly designed”.

At a meeting on Tuesday, members of Northamptonshire County Council’s development control committee gave their support to the scheme for the A43 bypass to the east of Moulton.

The section of road will open up land for the urban extension of North Northampton where 2,000 homes are proposed. Approval was given subject to one of the access roads, Thorpeville, not being included in the scheme.

Barry Care, chairman of Moulton Parish Council, said the plans should have included a pedestrian bridge or underpass rather than a Toucan crossing for people wanting to walk from Overstone to Moulton.

But cabinet member for highways at Northamptonshire County Council, Councillor Michael Clarke, has said the bypass will greatly ease congestion in the Moulton area if the 2,000 homes are built.

He said: “It It’s a significant plan because it is the first stage ion the long overdue improvement of connectivity between Northampton, Kettering and the A14.”

A total of 178 properties are close to the route of the bypass and a petition containing 125 signatures were presented to the council ahead of the decision.

Many issues were identified such as the lack of crossing points and a widely held the belief it would turn a number of smaller roads in the vicinity into rat runs.

But Councillor Clarke said the bypass scheme was always going to have its detractors.

“I think it has really been a matter of opinion,” he said. “It’s not a popular thing with people living nearby, but we have to accept that.

“What we have been trying to do at highways is mitigate the impact. We wanted to meet as many of the objections as possible and I think that has been achieved.

“One of the conditions was that we deny access to Thorpeville to stop the rat runs and that came about through listening to the concerns.”

Councillor Clarke added that the full length of the A43 will not be fully duelled for at least another five years.

People in the Northampton and Kettering area are being warned about rogue doorstep traders selling knives.

The advice from police and trading standards is not to buy goods or services from anyone cold-calling and trying to sell you goods on your doorstep.

If people are concerned about a caller at your door or suspect that rogue doorstep traders or distraction burglars are operating in the community they are asked to call the dedicated Doorstep crime Action Network (DAN) number 0345 23 07 702.

If you believe a crime is in progress, please dial 999. Remember, if you’re not sure, don’t open the door.

People can also get a No Cold Calling sticker from Trading Standards by calling 0300 126 1000.

A record number of businesses have applied for grants from Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership to help them expand.

The scheme, launched by chief executive of Royal & Derngate, Martin Sutherland, gives grants to small and medium-sized firms in the county.

A spokeswoman for NEP said: “Prior to the round closing last Friday July 31, enquiries and requests for application packs were received from an unprecedented 170 businesses and individuals working in Northamptonshire’s Creative & Cultural Industries (CCI) sector.

“This time around, INV-ENT CCI specifically targeted ambitious creative and cultural SMEs to support the transformational growth of their businesses with grants of up to £20,000 – offered to support the development of new products, investment in up-skilling existing or securing new staff, enhancing digital capabilities and the introduction of new technologies,” she added.

Firms will hear whether they are successful or not in October.