Crime related to Northampton town centre's McDonald's cut by 40 per cent under Operation Lily, report claims

A police operation to tackle anti-social behaviour in Northampton town centre has reportedly slashed crime rates involving the town's young people.

Operation Lily was launched in August 2019 and saw 10 police officers deployed to Northampton to tackle drug-dealing, street drinking and crimes linked to The Drapery and the Market Square.

Today (August 11) in his annual report, Chief Constable Nick Adderley published for the first time the results from the operation - including cutting down youth-related crime by a third and up to a 70 per cent drop in retail crime like shoplifting and abuse.

A standout statistic was a reported drop in crime at Northampton town centre's long-troubled McDonald's restaurant in The Drapery by 40 per cent.

The results from the operation were analysed in early 2020 before the lockdown.

Chief Adderley wrote in his annual report: "Operation Lily was launched in August 2019 after there were concerns around rising crime and anti-social behaviour in and around Northampton town centre.

"Throughout the year, proactive officers have carried out stop-searches, executed warrants and conducted patrols in areas where we have identified - through intelligence - drug dealing and organised criminality."

The operation reportedly had a focus on tackling drug dealing on the Market Square and County Lines gangs, as well as addressing street drinking.

Other results include:

■ 72 per cent cut in retail crime over a six-month period compared to the previous year

■ 673 alcohol seizures during first three months of operation, with 44 per cent if these in Abington Street.

■ 39 per cent drop in bicycle theft

■ 49 per cent rise in arrests across entire town