Our Gedling Neighbourhood Policing teams have provided an update on activity carried out across the borough over the past few months.
UPDATE FROM INSPECTOR CHRIS PEARSON
Lots of work went into the reopening of licensed premises across the Gedling Borough with members of the Neighbourhood Policing team carrying out visits to licensed premises over the first few weekends.
The team were supported by police/council licensing colleagues and Gedling CCTV to ensure a safe reopening.
There were only a small number of issues reported across the area and as ever we are taking appropriate action together with our partners.
Going forward we will be carrying out regular visits to licensed premises to ensure that these are operated as safely as possible and in line with government guidelines.
Reacher work
The Neighbourhood Policing team and Operation Reacher have continued to work together to address local priorities.
Our engagement with the public has been ongoing using platforms such as Facebook or Twitter and I’m pleased that we have been able to address some of their concerns around drug use and supply with a number of warrants carried out over the last month. Whilst there is a still lot to do there have been some great results.
On July 21, I joined the Gedling South team and local councillors for a walk around Netherfield. We spoke with members of the local community about ‘Operation Thistle’ and delivered letters to residents in order to raise awareness of our work and the Crimestoppers charity. Drug use and dealing will remain a priority and I know that this is a concern in our communities.
Priorities
Moving on I wanted to touch on our performance around Burglary and Shop theft which are two of our other priorities. In terms of Burglary this July has seen around 16 less offences than July 2019 which is around a 40% decrease in reported offending. Likewise Shoplifting offences have reduced by 38% or 17 less reported offences. Whilst the Coronavirus has undoubtedly impacted on crime levels there is also a huge amount of work that has gone in to policing hotspot areas and targeting those who we know commit offences in the Gedling Borough so the results are encouraging.
Our policing priorities will be refreshed over the next few days and details will be available on our website at https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/priority/gedling-priorities
ARNOLD UPDATE FROM SGT HELEN WALKER
Like our colleagues across the Force, the Gedling North Neighbourhood team has had a busy month in relation to the COVID-19 restrictions being lifted. We worked with our partner agencies to put plans in place to aid a smooth transition into this new phase.
The reopening of pubs was of course challenging but thankfully we have only seen a handful of issues. We will continue to work with partners and the licenced premises over the summer to ensure any problems are addressed swiftly.
In addition to COVID-19 work we have been doing a lot of work around anti-social behaviour (ASB). The warmer weather has resulted in an increase in ASB and we have been identifying those involved to disrupt their behaviour. We have been working with the Outreach Youth Workers so that they can target their diversionary work in the right areas.
Park assault
Last month we reported that we had been assisting CID colleagues with the investigation into an assault at Bestwood County Park where a male was struck with an axe.
Thankfully, the victim escaped with relatively minor injuries but this was a very concerning incident.
Graham Timlick, 67, has now been arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm, affray, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon. He was also charged with two offences of affray and possession of a bladed article in relation to an incident on August 13, 2019 when a group of teenagers were threatened in the same location.
Drugs results
As promised last month we have continued with proactive drugs enforcement across the area. The Neighbourhood policing team have worked with Op Reacher to execute a further four drugs warrants in the last month where quantities of Class B drugs, cash and drug related paraphernalia were seized.
A drugs warrant in Calverton on Saturday, July 25 resulted in 250 cannabis plants being recovered and a male arrested on suspicion of drugs supply offences. All of these have taken place as a result of feedback from the local community and the results have been pleasing.
CARLTON UPDATE FROM SGT MIKE EBBINS
Tackling drug dealing remains a priority for the Gedling South NPT with a focus on proactive policing in Netherfield under the OP THISTLE banner.
On Tuesday, July 21, two drugs warrants were simultaneously executed leading to the recovery of Class A and B controlled drugs. Following the warrants officers took to the streets with their council partners to engage with residents, talking about the operation and encouraging the public to pass on information to officers.
To date there have been ten warrants executed in and around the Netherfield area as part of OP THISTLE, leading to a sizeable amount of drugs and a number of persons dealt with for supplying drugs. The information has all come from members of the public who have taken the step to contact officers direct or through Crimestoppers with their observations.
The ethos of OP THISTLE is simple: you tell us what is happening and we will take action. All information passed is taken in the strictest confidence and the source of the information is never divulged.
Shoplifters
The team have also been targeting the retail premises to disrupt shoplifters operating in Victoria Retail Park.
The team have been operating in plain clothes to quickly identify those looking to steal from the shops.
A prolific shoplifter was quickly identified by local officers having stolen goods from Pets From Home and apprehended, leading to charges. That person now has bail conditions to keep out of the retail park and officers are working with all the shops to prevent further offending.
In other good news officers responded to a burglary on Claygate, Carlton on July 17 whereby a vehicle was taken from the driveway with keys. On July 18 roads policing colleagues sighted the vehicle in Sneinton and following a small foot chase arrested a 33-year-old male on suspicion of burglary theft of a motor vehicle and possession of cannabis. CID colleagues are now investigating this offence and the vehicle will be returned to its rightful owner.
OPERATION REACHER UPDATE FROM SGT MATT SISSON
Operation Reacher has continued to conduct proactive patrols across Gedling borough.
The team have now received a new Skoda Octavia police vehicle which along with the traditional police branding has the ‘Operation Reacher’ branding to differentiate it from other marked Police vehicles. If you do see the team out and about in these cars then please do have a chat with a member of the team.
Stolen goods
The team have also continued to work closely alongside the Carlton Neighbourhood Policing Team on cracking down on shop thefts from the Netherfield Retail Park.
Recently the team had information that a vehicle was travelling into Netherfield that contained individuals who are involved in committing shop thefts. The team located the vehicle parked inside the retail park car park and its two occupants were caught having just left Marks and Spencer’s with about £40 worth of stolen goods. The two males where promptly arrested, interviewed and charged with the theft.
Reacher month in numbers: – 8 arrests, 3 illegal vehicles seized, 14 stop and searches and 13 pieces of intelligence generated.
Very pleased to read about the activities in my local area and that positive results are being obtained . Fortunately the area that I live seems to be relatively clear of incidents ( Grassingdale Close) As a retired police officer one is programmed to eye
suspicious behaviour etc. and ready to pass on useful information
Keep up the good work.
Unfortunately, there is a constant stream of drug dealing and use taking place at both ends of the Hobucks nature reserve and inside the Hobucks at all times of day that is constantly reported by local residents and yet carries on with seemingly nothing being done to tackle this. It is particularly concerning as the nature reserve is often visited by the local infant and junior schools, dog walkers, families and children. Many residents now feel unsafe visiting the Hobucks, especially alone or even passing by the entrances as the dealers and drug users do not seem deterred by passers by and are seen at all times of day. It is such a shame that it is being ruined by this type of activity, but these people really do not care.