Northants’ top cop sets the record straight on Priti Patel criticism

An interview with Northamptonshire’s police chief will see him put the record straight about being at the heart of a media storm, vow to get justice for Harry Dunn and why weapons are a huge concern.

Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable, Nick Adderley, is the special guest on the next episode of NLive Radio’s Shout To The Top programme, which is hosted by University of Northampton Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Petford.

A frank interview on the show, which airs at 7pm on Wednesday, will see Mr Adderley explain the circumstances that led to him hitting the national headlines, in April 2020, when Home Secretary, Priti Patel, criticised him for comments he made about policing the first lockdown. Mr Adderley came under fire when it was reported his force would inspect shopping and penalise sunbathers during lockdown. But, as he will explain, there was more to the press and social media storm.

Mr Adderley will also reaffirm his commitment to seek justice for the family of Northamptonshire teenager Harry Dunn, who died after being involved in a road accident with Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat who subsequently fled the UK.

Technology’s role in policing will also be discussed, along with Mr Adderley’s shock at how the fear of the law has disappeared, and the normalisation of carrying weapons, amongst a minority of criminals.

The University will also be well-represented on the hour-long policing special, with appearances from Matthew Callender, who is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice; social innovation expert, Tim Curtis, and Criminology academics, Paula Bowles and Manos Daskalou.

Shout To The Top airs on the first Wednesday of every month, on NLive Radio. Listen via the website – or if you are in Northampton, on 106.9FM. The show is also available as a podcast on iTunes.