Ashfield Police February Blog

Inspector John Hewitt has shared his February Blog following an industrious month for the Ashfield Policing team.

As well as arresting two now notorious thieves, the team had tackled local drug use and connected with the community through pop-up surgeries and engagement events.

Inspector John Hewitt said: "Since the beginning of the year the local teams have made a refreshed focus on our engagement offerings which hopefully the local communities will be seeing the benefit of. Certainly, I am seeing far more surgeries and pop-up surgeries advertised on our social media pages which I think is key, if the public do not know where we are available how can you come and engage with us. This is a flexible approach and exact timings often dictated by demand on the day but if you have ideas for where we would get good engagement, please let us know.

"The teams have continued working hard towards the local priorities. In relation to dangerous driving all of the local teams have been getting out with the speed gun and conducting checks along with looking for other Fatal 4 offences. One driver was given a ticket for driving at 49 MPG on Dalestorth Road which is one of the streets we get the most complaints about.

"We have managed to seize 3 nuisance motorbikes this month which whilst not a huge number will hopefully get the message out to those who do use these bikes and deter their usage. The off-road bike team have also deployed across the district a number of times this month. I am aware from feedback of concerns for electric bikes and scooter in the town centre/ pedestrian areas, this is an area where we need to consider our tactics and build a specific response.

"In relation to junction 27 patrols have continued at peak times. We have now started reviewing video evidence and following approaches in other forces issuing S59 warnings and fines under the PSPO after the event. This has led to 6 warnings/ fines being sent which will as we build on this approach will hopefully deter car cruising at the locality. With theft from motor vehicles being Hucknall based I will discuss further within the below update and the efforts for drug dealing is a recurring theme for all teams."

In Hucknall, the Ashfield policing team have been tackling a number of issues and offences, including criminal behaviour, drug dealing, and the possession of weapons.

Two individuals were arrested in early February for theft, while the team also recovered over £1200 of drugs and weapons from a Hucknall residence.

Inspector John Hewitt explained: "Towards the beginning of the month the team arrested Justin Lamb and Luke Monte for a number of theft offences. Monte ultimately received a suspended custodial sentence and Lamb was sentenced to 20 weeks. A Criminal Behaviour Order was applied for which was granted banning him from entering Hucknall and will hopefully curb future offending locally.

"As part of this investigation, we utilised a capture car which Lamb has entered and stolen from, this is a great tactic to allow us to prove offences beyond all reasonable doubt at court and something we will continue to use locally."

The team have also asked local people to get in touch if they have concerns surrounding drug use.

Inspector Hewitt continued: "The team have been doing a lot of work around The Ranges Park, Cheyne Walk and nearby streets in relation to concerns of drug dealing. This has led to drugs, weapons (knives and cosh) and over £1200 being recovered which were all hidden in wasteland. The team have leafletted a number of local properties as we continue to investigate and build the intelligence picture. If anyone has any information or evidence that will support us across Hucknall please do get in touch.

"We have picked up on comments on socials there are other problem addresses, we intend to work through engagement options with those addresses and if required move to enforcement/ closure orders. Again, if people have concerns or evidence for specific addresses (for example Annesley Road often mentioned) please contact us privately, there is little we can do with one liners on Facebook unfortunately."

On top of this, there is also an exciting new forum on the table: Shop Watch.

Inspector John Hewitt said: "Through funding from Ashfield District Council we hope to launch the business crime forum soon (Shop Watch), the funding is now available so we are just working through ordering the radios. I hope this will build a partnership relationship between local stores and the police and of course reduce shop thefts.

He concluded: "There is some quite significant funding on its way which the council will no doubt communicate on but from communications I have had in the past week will include a safe point camera, some additional CCTV cameras, improvement to street lighting and youth engagement which I know from conversations I have had is a local concern."