Ashfield Independents call for regular police drop-in sessions in Hucknall

Ashfield Independent councillors in Hucknall are calling for improved access to police officers in Hucknall.

Councillors Jim Blagden, Trevor Locke, David Shaw, Lee Waters and John Wilmott have written a submission to the new Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry.

They want their submission to be considered by Commissioner Henry as part of her thorough review of the police estate strategy.

In the letter they invite Commissioner Henry to join them, Ashfield's Divisional Commander Mark Dickson and the local Hucknall beat team on a pre-arranged 'walkabout' which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 18th July.

They also suggest that Hucknall Library and Rolls Royce Leisure on Watnall Road should be considered as venues for regular drop-in centres in which residents of the town would be able to speak to police officers to voice their concerns and even report crime.

Councillor Lee Waters, who represents Hucknall South on Nottinghamshire County Council said: "When Commissioner Henry announced her review of the police estate strategy for Nottinghamshire – this was welcome. At no point however has her office contacted any councillor in Hucknall to take part in it. We have therefore took [sic] it upon ourselves to have our say.

"It was a previous review of the police estate strategy in 2013 that directly led to closure of our station on Watnall Road in January 2015. Since then crime has risen. The police's own statistics for Hucknall back this up. We've suggested measures that put the police right back into the heart of the Hucknall. This includes utilising the underused Hucknall Library as a drop in centre for part of the week – something the County Council have confirmed they are willing to consider. We hope that our submission to the review will lead to positive outcomes and make Hucknall safer."

District Councillor Jim Blagden who represents Hucknall Central said: "I've been calling for an improvement to police presence in Hucknall for years. I hope Commissioner Henry will carefully consider our proposals. If she keeps the promises she made in the election then I am certain she will.

"I get that policing has changed over the years – but as the fastest growing town in the whole of Nottinghamshire – residents in Hucknall deserve somewhere they can report crime face to face. Not everybody is on Facebook, knows about Twitter or has the confidence to call Police: 101 or Crimestoppers. We need somewhere to go in Hucknall where we can look officers in the whites of their eyes and have an assurance that we will be listened to."

Hucknall Nub News have contacted the office of Commissioner Henry for a response.