Inspector Chris Pearson heads up the Local Neighbourhood Policing Team which covers Gedling borough. Here he provides an update on policing activities that took place during December…
New recruits…
A number of new officers have joined our Response teams and the Neighbourhood Policing team which has been made possible by recruitment across the force. I am really looking forward to welcoming more officers and staff to Gedling as we move into 2020. I’m also looking forward to the start of a new proactive team in the Gedling area. An additional team will be set up early in the New Year with a view to supporting the Neighbourhood Policing team in tackling our priorities. This is a fantastic opportunity for the area and I’ll share more details as I get them.
Focus on priorities continues…
The team has continued to focus on our priorities of burglary, autocrime and anti-social behaviour.
Positively officers responded to a report of a commercial burglary on Victoria Road, Netherfield on December 22. Two males have since been arrested for this offence and charged. Michael WILSON (44 years) and John WILSON (36 years) have both appeared at Court in relation to the offence and this will be dealt with at Crown Court next year.
Officers also responded to a report of a burglary at Tesco Express on Carlton Hill on Christmas day. Following some excellent work by officers from across the area a male was arrested in connection with this burglary. A builders sack, crow bar and sledge hammer were recovered after a van was stopped by officers. A 56-year-old male was arrested and the investigation is very much ongoing.
In terms of residential burglaries, officers from our Response and Neighbourhood teams have continued to patrol hotspot areas supported by officers from headquarters. Hotspot locations in Gedling North are Bestwood Village, Linby, Ravenshead and Calverton with offenders damaging doors locks or forcing doors to gain entry to properties during the daytime. The County burglary team are investigating these offences and two arrests have been made in what is a wider Burglary investigation. The good news is that a 16 year old male and an 18 year old man have been charged with a number of burglaries.
Carlton and Netherfield are hotspot locations in Gedling South with 3 x offences having taken place with offenders gaining entry by forcing doors or windows.
In other positive news Garry HASTINGS (22 years) has been charged with a distraction burglary on Castleton Avenue in Arnold back in November last year. HASTINGS will appear at Nottingham Crown Court next year. This was a really good investigation with PC James Hague from the Gedling neighbourhood team supporting the victim through what was a very distressing incident. Officers from the burglary team lead the investigation resulting in HASTINGS arrest. This is another excellent bit of work and clearly shows our commitment to tackling burglary across Gedling.
Over the next month officers will be visiting hotspot areas to speak with residents and offer further crime prevention advice. We are working closely with our partners to tackle burglary and this will remain a top priority for us moving into 2020.
Autocrime this year continues to be positive with 113 less victims and throughout December ASB numbers have remained fairly static on numbers reported this time last year.
Our policing priorities will be refreshed in early January 2020 in our next priority setting meeting taking place. This process enables priorities to be set based on a number of sources of data such as crime data, survey feedback and feedback from local councillors.
Drugs warrants…
Officers executed a drugs warrant on Baker Avenue, Arnold on 6th December 6, 2019. This resulted in four males being arrested for drugs supply offences with suspected class A drugs, phones and scales recovered. The investigation is still ongoing but I wanted to be clear that we are listening to community concerns and will wherever possible act on these concerns.
This work was then followed by a further drugs warrant carried out in Netherfield with a cannabis grow seized. A male was interviewed by officers in relation to the matter and positive action is now being taken together with housing partners.
Community visits…
I also had the pleasure of visiting the Syrian Community in Arnold on December 10. I had chance to meet and talk to the some of the local Syrian Community and PCSO Olivia Charlton-King spoke with visitors about policing in Arnold. This was an excellent event organised by colleagues from Gedling Borough Council and Syrian Community Leaders.
In the last couple of months I’ve also met with Calverton, Woodborough and Lambley parish councils to give updates on policing across Gedling. I will be visiting other Parish councils across the Gedling area in the New Year.
Early next year we intend to publish our engagement calendar for the next quarter. All of these events will be advertised through our social media and details will be shared through other channels such as the Parish Councils.
Road safety
Our work around road safety has continued with PCSO Trev Parkinson and PCSO Behram Antia conducting more Community Road Safety events. Work has continued in the Lambley area following community feedback with volunteers working together with the police in order to deter speeding offences through the village. We are continuing to expand this scheme and activity is planned for other areas such as Ravenshead in the New Year.
