Northampton couple criticise police investigation after 'intoxicated' woman, 28, found sitting in their car boot in the middle of the night

Steve Noble and his wife Nicola were rudely awoken on December 12 at around 1.45am by a woman who they found in their seven-seater Kia Sedona and sat in the boot, which was parked outside their home in Botmead Road, Rectory Farm.

Within the same week, the couple had tools stolen out of Steve's company van - Just Mobile Tyres - which they say has not been followed up by police due to a lack of evidence.

The married couple said they felt let down and disappointed with Northamptonshire Police's response to the situation - only hearing back from officers three weeks later on January 4.

The couple said: "Our biggest frustration really is with the police. They've disappointed us with how they have handled it. We keep picking up the news and seeing people getting done for breaking Covid rules. The way they have dealt with this has been shocking."

They said it would have been distressing for anyone to go through, but especially for them, as Steve recently had heart failure and needs to shield as a vulnerable person. The couple also have four children who were due to attend school the next day.

The couple also said they were unhappy that the officers who visited their home did not wear facial masks to help prevent the spread of Covid.

Police said they arrived at the scene that night and arrested the woman, but no further action was taken in regards to the woman being in their car because it was unlocked and there was no evidence to suggest the person was trying to steal it.

Officers said the woman was given a fixed penalty notice of £200 for breaking Covid guidelines by attending the gathering.

But the couple were frustrated about the response to the theft of tools form their van and claim they had to chase the police for information over the Christmas period.

Steve and Nicola said: "The police should have investigated more thoroughly than they have done. If we didn't press for a response then I don't think we would have got one.

"They eventually followed it up, by which time the chances of our possessions ever being retrieved were remote. We are never going to get them tools back. Even if you have a plant pot on your property what gives people the right to touch/take it."

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said the woman had been fined but that there was not enough sufficient evidence to investigate further.

The spokeswoman said: “Officers arrived fourteen minutes after the initial call and arrested the woman on suspicion of vehicle interference. No further action was taken in regards to this offence as it could not be proven that the woman intended to steal the car.

“A covid-19 fixed penalty notice was issued to the woman due to her attendance at a gathering of four people that same night.

"The offence of criminal damage was reported to us two days later and the theft of the tools from another unlocked vehicle was reported to us three days later. At this point, there was not sufficient evidence, or any forensic opportunities, to link these crimes.

“We completely understand the frustrations, however we do need tangible evidence in order to meet the thresholds required to prosecute a crime.”