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Council and police team-up for anti-social behaviour patrols

Posted onPosted on 6th May

Ashfield District Council and Nottinghamshire Police are joining forces to tackle the scourge of anti-social behaviour.

The two authorities have launched a series of joint patrols in areas where residents have raised concerns about the issue.

Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are now on regular weekend patrols with the council’s Community Support Officers (CPOs) to resolve community disputes.

They said the operation aimed to provide a regular and visible presence in the community, and aims to build stronger, more trusting relationships with residents.

Anti-social behaviour is defined as activity that causes, or is likely to case, harassment, alarm or distress to other people.

Antonio Taylor, community safety manager at the council, said: “This operation demonstrates effective working relationships between the council and Nottinghamshire Police. By taking an evidence led approach, we can implement a patrol plan that targets anti-social behaviour at the most appropriate times and locations.

“By utilising powers from both Community Protection Officers and Police Community Support Officers, we are able to effectively tackle public space anti-social behaviour to make Ashfield a safe, secure place to live, work and visit.”

Officers have already served a number of formal notices in the town centres, estates and open spaces for street drinking, abusive behaviour and enviro-crime and are committed to driving down anti-social behaviour throughout District.

Inspector Mark Dickson, District Commander for Ashfield, said: “Neighbourhood policing is not all about catching criminals and locking people up – it’s also about helping people to address the problems that are negatively affecting their lives.

“Whilst many incidents of anti-social behaviour don’t amount to a criminal offence and won’t lead to prosecutions, we understand the impact they have on people’s lives and are absolutely determined to do all we can to tackle them.

“By working in tandem with the council’s Community Support Officers our PCSOs are providing a regular and very visible presence in the communities we serve.

“Together we are working to engage with people living in certain areas, to discuss the issues they are experiencing and to take appropriate enforcement action when it if necessary. That is always a last resort but we will not hesitate to do it when people are behaving unacceptable ways.

“In the short period this initiative has been running I have been delighted by the results we have seen and the reaction we have had from residents”

Since the scheme launched at the start of February the patrols have executed a warrant to seize stereo equipment in relation to a noise complaint, issued numerous fixed penalty notices, and supported with the planning and execution of three drugs warrants in Beachwood Court, Sutton. They also have the power confiscate alcohol and order people to move away from certain areas.

Inspector Dickson added: “If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour where you live we want to hear from you. It doesn’t matter if a crime has been committed or not. If people are behaving in ways that are causing you alarm and distress then we want to hear from you and we want to help you if we can. So please contact us on 101 or via social media.”