Gedling neighbourhood policing team’s Inspector Heather Harding has provided an update on how they have progressed on tackling crime across the borough during and April and what the priorities will over the next three months.
She said: “Through analysis of crime, consultation with partners, the PCC crime survey and feedback from our community, we have identified the following policing priorities for the next three months…”
Burglary
Insp Harding said: “While there are no concerning burglary trends in Gedling borough, it is a priority because of the detrimental impact it has on victims and their quality of life.
Shop theft –
“There has been an increase in shoplifting reported over recent months and we are responding to that trend by making it a key priority for the team,” Harding said.
Begging –
Inspector Harding said: “”A lot of work is ongoing on our third priority to identify and warn prolific beggars as well as signpost them to support while continuing to address the impact on the wider community.”
Actions on our priorities
Burglary
Inspector Harding said: “”We are allocating additional time and resources to focus on repeat offenders and hot spot areas as early as possible. This will maximise investigation opportunities, increase the likelihood of prosecutions and ultimately reassure victims.
“High-visibility patrols, covert operations and pop-up beat surgeries will be the main focus over the coming months.
Shop theft
Additional resources will be allocated for patrols and proactive days of action aiming to promote awareness of the issue. We will be working hard on securing Criminal Behaviour Orders for the small number of persistent offenders responsible for much of the offending in Gedling. These orders ban individuals from specific areas and are proving very successful.
Begging – An operation is in place with a clear escalation process in order to deal with beggars. This will now expand to consider the impact of cross border offenders alongside information sharing with our partners to find a long term solution.
Did you hear about this?
Inspector Harding highlighted three examples of great police work that had taken place in the community over the past month.
She said “We saw two suspects were charged after neighbourhood police carried out a series of raids to crackdown on drug crime in a Gedling borough village.
“Officers executed warrants at three properties in Calverton on March 26 following an investigation into drugs supply in the area.
“At one of the addresses, officers found suspected Class A drugs as well as weighing scales and other equipment associated with the drugs trade.
“Neighbourhood police also shut down an extensive cannabis grow after executing a warrant at a Gedling home.
“Officers from the team carried out the raid on a house in Duncroft Avenue, Gedling, and total of 330 cannabis plants were found growing in various rooms inside the property.
She added: “If you know any information about a cannabis grow in your area please get in touch.
The inspector also shared a heart-warming story involving one of her officers.
SHe said: “One of our Gedling police officers has been thanked after helping to save a man’s life while off-duty at a Parkrun.
“Police Constable Tom Packer was supporting his wife at the Newark Parkrun event at Sconce and Devon Park on March 22.
“While waiting at the finish line, PC Packer became aware of a man who was with two children and complaining about feeling unwell and light-headed.
“PC Packer suspected the man was suffering a heart attack and carried out CPR and applied a defibrillator before paramedics arrived.
“He was relieved to receive a message from the man’s wife a few days later thanking him.
“It was confirmed he had suffered a heart attack and required surgery but is now thankfully recovering.”
PC Packer said: “I did nothing that any other officer wouldn’t have done. I was just at the right place at the right time.”
