The Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel is scheduled to meet on Thursday 18 June 2026 to review the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report and Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26. The Panel will also discuss the impact of serious drug-related and knife crime in Northamptonshire, review its work programme for the upcoming year, and appoint members to its Complaints Sub Committee.

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for 2025/26

The Panel is scheduled to review the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report for the 2025/26 financial year. This report details the work undertaken by the Commissioner in relation to policing and crime objectives. The Panel's statutory responsibilities in reviewing this report are outlined in the provided documentation¹. The report itself covers the Commissioner's Safe and Sound plan, detailing progress on visible and accessible community services, professionalism and standards, and strong partnerships. It also includes a breakdown of policing and fire expenditure for the year.

Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26

Alongside the Annual Report, the Panel will review the Fire and Rescue Statement for 2025/26. This statement provides assurance of compliance with the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England². The report details the governance, financial, and operational assurance arrangements for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), including its Community Risk Management Plan³ and the findings of His Majesty's Inspectorate of Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) re-inspection.

Impact of Serious Drug-Related Crime, Including Knife Crime

A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to discussing the impact of serious drug-related crime, including knife crime, in Northamptonshire. The report outlines the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership's (NSVPP) approach to understanding the causes and impacts of serious violence, adopting a public health approach. The NSVPP's strategic priorities include leadership, data sharing, tackling vulnerability, and place-based approaches. The report highlights the development of a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (SNA) and provides examples of interventions, such as the The Sideline Project for sports mentoring and a co-produced knife crime awareness campaign titled No One Wins. Data presented within the report indicates that individuals under 25 are significantly involved in drug possession and trafficking offences, with a notable over-representation of certain ethnic groups compared to the Northamptonshire population. The analysis also points to links between deprivation, mental health issues, and involvement in gangs and drugs with youth violence and knife crime.

Police, Fire and Crime Panel Work Programme 2026/27

The Panel will consider its work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This programme will outline the statutory business, discretionary scrutiny work, and operational matters for the Panel. The report suggests continuing membership in the East Midlands Police and Crime Panels Network and the National Association of Police, Fire and Crime Panels. An update on responses to previous Panel resolutions is also included.

Appointments to the Complaints Sub Committee

Finally, the Panel is scheduled to appoint members to its Complaints Sub Committee for the 2026/27 year. This committee handles non-criminal complaints against the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner and Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, operating under an Informal Resolution Protocol⁴. The proposed composition includes councillor and independent co-opted members.