Extra police patrols in Northamptonshire village after sexual assault charge
Northamptonshire Police says the alleged incident has caused concern to people living in the area
Police have said they are completing extra patrols in a Northamptonshire village where a man was recently charged with a sexual assault.
On Wednesday, August 6, Warwickshire Police confirmed that Ahmed Muhammad Almahi, 32, of Parklands in Crick, was charged with sexual assault on a female on Tuesday, August 5.
They said this was following an incident on Hillmorton Road and Crick Road in Rugby on Monday evening (August 4).
A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: “We are aware a man from Crick has been charged with sexual assault by Warwickshire Police following an incident in Rugby on Tuesday, August 5.
“We know this incident has caused concern to people living in the area and our Neighbourhood Policing Team have been completing extra patrols in Crick in recent days to offer reassurance.
“We continue to work closely with partners including local councillors and West Northamptonshire Council to help respond to any concerns people may have and encourage people to contact us if they have any questions.
“We also encourage people to report crimes to us via online, via 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
Stuart Andrew, MP for Daventry, said he was “deeply concerned” to hear that a man had been charged with sexual assault.
He added: “This is a very serious matter, and my thoughts are with the woman affected.
“The safety of my constituents is my highest priority. I have requested an urgent meeting with the police to establish the facts, and I am also in contact with the Minister at the Home Office to demand firm answers.
“I have been consistently raising concerns with the Home Office about the situation in Crick, and this incident underlines just how serious those concerns are.
“If it is confirmed that the individual charged is residing at the hotel in Crick, I will be calling for his immediate deportation.”
There has been no confirmation from Police that the man charged was a resident of the IBIS Hotel in Crick, which is currently housing asylum seekers.
Crick Parish Council has also today (August 7) issued a statement saying it is “extremely concerned about recent incidents involving the IBIS hotel at Crick”. The Council press release does not provide further details of the incidents it is referencing.
It continued: “Yesterday the Parish Council wrote, once again, to our MP Stuart Andrew, and also to the chief of police at West Northamptonshire expressing these concerns.
“It is worth reiterating that the decision to house immigrants at the IBIS was a Central Government decision and was not supported by West Northamptonshire Council or Crick Parish Council, both of whom strongly objected to the decision.
“Regarding the use of the playing field, the Parish Council has contacted Serco directly. Serco have told us that they cannot impose a curfew, and the residents are not prevented from leaving the hotel.
“Serco have said that they will speak to the hotel residents about using the playing field at night and making a noise. Again, any concerns or incidents must be reported, without exception.”