Police are appealing for any information after a woman tried to pull a two-year-old boy from his mum’s arm in Gedling.
The incident happened at around 5.55pm on Wednesday (19) in Arnold Lane towards the junction with Friday Lane.
A mum had one child in a pushchair and another in her arm when an unknown woman approached her muttering under her breath.
She then tugged at the two-year-old in his mum’s arm and has been challenged.
The suspect has then run away in the direction of the mini roundabout and Main Street.
She has been described as a white female, aged 50 to 60, small, skinny build, wearing a blue face mask, a pink puffer coat with the hood up and dark blue jeans
Police were called and officers have made a number of lines of inquiry to track the suspect down including a CCTV trawl, forensics and door-to-door inquiries.
Police are appealing for witnesses and any dash cam footage after a serious collision near Papplewick on April 7.
The incident happened on the A60 on Mansfield Road at around 2.55pm.
Police attended a three-car collision where two women in one of the cars were treated for serious injuries in hospital. They are now recovering.
Occupants of the other two vehicles were also taken to hospital with minor injuries.
Detective Constable Liah Lane, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This was a serious incident and we are currently working to understand what happened.
“We would really like to hear from anyone in the area or on that road before or after the incident occurred. We would especially like to hear from anyone who saw a red Audi or has any dash cam footage.
“Any witnesses who are yet to come forward are asked to call 101 quoting incident 471 of 7 April 2023.”
A Mapperley man is preparing to tackle the London Marathon to raise cash for a special cause.
James Billington, 43, will take part in the iconic run for Ella’s charity on Sunday (23).
He will join more than 40,000 other runners in the Capital to raise money for his chosen charity, which works with women who’ve survived trafficking and exploitation.
James is married to Sam and works for Nottingham-based company SDL Surveying and this will be his fifth marathon.
James said: “I started running in 2006, when I joined a gym and lost 10 stone in weight – and I kept on running.
“If you’d have told me back then that I’d go on to run five marathons, I wouldn’t have believed you!’
“I first heard about Ella’s at a work conference. It was about surveying and property, and Ella’s were there talking about the safe houses they run, and I felt really inspired by the stories.
“It’s been great running for a small charity, where I know the money I raise will make a big difference among some of the UK’s most vulnerable women.’
‘People have very much gotten behind me during my training and fundraising efforts. My employer,
“SDL Surveying will double whatever I raise, which is great.”
James’ family are also supporting his charity challenge.
“My dad says he’ll donate an extra £50 if I get a PB on the day,” he said.
James has raised £800 so far. His total will be doubled by his workplace after the race, meaning he’s on track to raise more than £1,500 for Ella’s.
Emily Chalke, Co-Director at Ella’s, says the team at Ella’s are extremely grateful for James’ support.
She said: “The support we provide at Ella’s is crucial for women who’ve survived trafficking and other forms of violence. Without it, many would fall back into danger.
“The fundraising efforts of people like James play a significant part in making our work possible, so we are very thankful. We’ll be there cheering for him on the day!’
Co-op has revealed it plans to cut prices for customers who are ‘members’ in a move which rivals Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
The supermarket group say they plan to invest more than £240 million into its membership scheme.
The fresh funding will be used to introduce new and lower prices which will only be available to Co-op members.
The group estimates it could help them to save up to £300 a year.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of Sainsbury’s launching Nectar Prices offers that are only available to its Nectar loyalty scheme members, similar to rival Tesco’s Clubcard Prices offer.
Co-op said members will initially see benefits across food, such as £1.90 savings for ready meals, wine deals to help save £5 and money off Co-op’s British BBQ lines and fresh fruit ranges.
They will also get extra money off its popular freezer filler deal – with an average member saving of £8 per deal and discounts of £1.45 on its Irresistible pizzas.
Co-op’s lunchtime meal deals will also be available to members for £3.50, rather than £4.
Chief membership and customer officer at Co-op, Kenyatte Nelson, said the membership prices push “ensures that we’re rewarding the loyalty of shoppers with the most competitive prices on the best offers we have in our stores”.
The news comes after Sainsbury’s last week announced plans to take on Tesco’s Clubcard scheme by offering discounts on 300 products to Nectar loyalty card holders.
‘Nectar Prices’ has been introduced to rival perks offered by the supermarket’s competitors.
The price of a 200g jar of Nescafe Gold Blend is being cut by more than half for Nectar holders, from £8.10 to £4.
Heinz Baked Beans will now cost Nectar members 95p instead of £1.40.
The changes bring the Nectar scheme closer to those offered by Tesco with their Clubcard scheme. It offers lower prices on products across the store for those who have the card or app.
Residents have been invited to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III by viewing the momentous event on big screens at venues in Arnold and Carlton.
Locals will be able to watch the ceremony for free, live on the cinema screen at the Bonington Theatre, the council’s 178 seater theatre and cinema in Arnold Town Centre. Tickets for the screening are free, but seats need to be booked in advance online at www.boningtontheatre.co.uk or by calling 0115 901 3640.
The screening is scheduled to start at 10:45am but timings may be subject to change once official details are released.
PICTURED: The Bonington theatre and, below, Richard Herrod Centre (PHOTOS: Gedling Eye)
The event will also be broadcast at the council’s Richard Herrod Centre, Carlton. No booking is required for the event at the Richard Herrod Centre and the venue will be open from 8:15am.
The Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Peter Barnes said: “We are thrilled to take part in the King’s Coronation celebrations and be able offer this opportunity for our residents to come together on this historic occasion.
“I can remember the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, and what a special time that was for the whole of the country. I have no doubt that the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will be just as memorable.
“Seats at the Bonington will be limited so I’d recommend booking a place as soon as possible to avoid missing out.”
Hoovering on the Edge – Burton Joyce Village Hall, Burton Joyce, 7.30pm
Thursday April 27 – Saturday April 29
Burton Joyce Players present “Hoovering on the edge” a comedy drama by Hilary Spiers. The play will be staged at Burton Joyce Village Hall on Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th April 2023. Performances will commence at 7.30pm.
Tickets, £8.00 per person, are available to purchase from Tuesday 28th March 2023 at Rhubarbs Cafe, (Church Road), NOLA Coffee & Deli and the Willow Tea Room (both Main Street) or online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/bjp
Thursday Night Quiz Night – The Gedling Inn, Gedling
Please contact venue to confirm availability and details
A quick word from ‘This is Gedling’ Magazine who sponsor The Vibe
Covering the whole of Gedlng borough ‘This is Gedling’ magazine is being distributed now – you can pick up a FREE copy at your local pub, club, venue, theatre, takeaway.
This is Gedling is a Not for Profit (NfP) community initiative that depends on the support of advertisers, contributors, readers and donors to continue to bring FREE borough news and general interest content to the all 46 square miles and 120k residents of Gedling borough.
A decision on whether to start fining households for emitting chimney smoke across parts of Gedling borough has been delayed until after the upcoming election.
Members of Gedling Borough Council’s environment and licensing committee delayed a discussion on the plans over concerns it could become “political”.
It related to using more powers to fine households emitting smoke from their chimneys in 41 separate smoke control areas (SCAs) in the borough.
PICTURED: Civic Centre in Arnot Hill Park
The plan is part of legislation in the Clean Air Act 1993 which sets out offences for emitting smoke in these SCAs.
Forty-one SCAs have been established in the borough in recent decades, covering the majority of the urban parts of Gedling.
Emitting smoke from chimneys through open fires, wood-burning stoves or fixed boilers is prohibited in these areas unless specific criteria are met.
This includes only using ‘authorised fuel’ such as gas or electricity, or ‘smokeless’ fuels unless through an exempt appliance.
Exempt appliances include anthracite or semi-anthracite coal burners, low-volatile steam coal, or gas.
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) guidelines also say unauthorised fuel, such as wood, can only be burned in exempt appliances.
DEFRA’s smoke control website sets out a list of hundreds of exempt appliances, including countless wood burners.
Outdoor barbecues, chimineas, fireplaces or pizza ovens are also allowed, alongside garden bonfires as long as they follow DEFRA rules on bonfires.
Gedling Borough Council says its public protection team receives complaints “from time to time” for these chimney offences both within and outside SCAs.
However, enforcement has been hindered in the past as, previously, fining officers must have physically seen fuel being put on the fire.
But now local authorities can fine people specifically for emitting smoke from their chimneys in SCAs due to new rules in the Environment Act 2021.
If offenders are found breaching these rules, an initial fine of £175 can be handed out.
The financial penalty increases to £300 for repeat offenders.
The 2021 Act granted councils more powers to issue fines and the Labour-controlled authority had planned to begin using them.
An item was due for discussion at the environment and licensing committee on Tuesday (April 18).
However, the committee has deferred a decision until its next meeting, which will take place after the council election on May 4.
Councillor Marje Paling (Lab) is the chair of the committee and confirmed the deferral at the start of the meeting.
She said: “We have decided to defer the item because there is a chance, although I doubt it very much, the debate could become political.
“Because it’s so close to the election, we’ve decided it would be better to withdraw it.
“It’s not an urgent item so it can easily come to the next meeting [after the election].”
Had the item been discussed, the level of fines could have been approved and powers could have been handed to officers to administer them.
In a report published ahead of the meeting, the council said: “Not [doing this] will mean the council will not be able to use the new methods of enforcement.
“[It will make] it difficult to identify and prosecute offenders within the borough.
“Some revenue may be received from payment of financial penalties, though it is anticipated most complaints can be resolved without the need for financial penalties.
“Perhaps in the region of £500-£1000 may be received per annum.”
A date for the next meeting will not be set until the first full council meeting of the new council administration on May 24.
Nottinghamshire Police received 63 allegations of sexual misconduct against officers and police staff in 2022, new figures released by the force show.
The claims were made against 22 serving or former officers or staff members and are the highest number in the last six years.
A report on the figures made public by the force also reveals 40 of the 63 allegations remained under investigation as of December 31, 2022.
PICTURED: Sherwood Lodge
The force says the number of allegations made has “increased significantly”, adding it decided to publish the figures to improve transparency following questions about police conduct and standards nationally.
Detective Superintendent Hayley Williams, head of professional standards directorate at the force, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We know this type of information is a matter of public interest and therefore it is important it appears on our website.
“Our rise in numbers reflects our determination to root out any incidents of sexual misconduct because it will not be tolerated in the force.”
The force’s report, released on its website last week, shows a total of 94 allegations have been made against 49 police officers or staff since 2017.
Sixty-three were made in 2022, with the remaining 31 made between 2017 and 2021.
The allegations include rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and other sexual conduct
At the time of publication, the force said further details on the progress and outcomes of the 40 outstanding allegations will be published in the summer.
Police conduct nationally remains under public scrutiny in the wake of the high-profile court convictions of numerous serving Metropolitan Police officers.
Most recently, Met Police officer David Carrick was jailed for life after committing 48 separate rapes over a 17-year period.
Wayne Couzens, another Met officer, was also jailed for life for the kidnap, rape and subsequent murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021.
Both officers passed several force vetting processes despite previous concerns about their past behaviour being raised.
The Casey Report, published by Dame Louise Casey last month, exposed further issues at the Met.
It found discrimination issues were not tackled effectively, with the force deemed “institutionally racist, misogynistic and homophobic”.
Other problems included widespread bullying, female officers and staff “routinely” facing sexism and misogyny, and “deep-seated homophobia”.
However, Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry (Con) told councillors in March she had been “absolutely assured” these issues were not reflected locally.
But she also discussed figures showing public confidence in the force has fallen year-on-year from 55.4 per cent in March 2020 to 53 per cent at the end of last year.
Mrs Henry said this formed part of a “national trend” relating to wider police perception issues nationally.
Nottinghamshire Police’s report says the publication is intended as a way of being “open and transparent” and to boost “confidence in reporting these matters”.
It also shows seven of the 63 allegations made in 2022 were later withdrawn, while nine were determined as ‘service acceptable’ for the employee in question.
A further six investigations concluded there was ‘no case to answer’ and one allegation was found to have a case.
This resulted in a former employee facing a misconduct hearing, and this member of staff “would have been dismissed” if they were still serving, the statistics reveal.
The figures also show between 2017 and 2022, 11 officers were disciplined for sexual misconduct allegations, with seven classed as on-duty, serving police officers.
Two disciplined staff were former officers with a further two as former members of staff, which could include office workers, call handlers or other non-frontline force employees.
Of these, three serving officers have been dismissed, two former officers would have been dismissed and two former staff also would have been dismissed.
The number of allegations last year was more than double the total lodged to the force across the whole of the preceding five years, the figures add.
The force says the number of employees facing sexual misconduct allegations is “small” compared with the wider 3,800 staff base it employs.
The report adds that the increase in allegations shows that confidence in the force is growing.
Det Supt Williams added: “We are seeing an increase in Freedom of Information requests for this information and therefore we want to ensure everyone has access to this data.
“Every allegation will be investigated fully and if it is found that an officer or member of police staff has acted below the high standards we expect of them, disciplinary procedures will take place – which can include dismissal.”
Notts Police and Crime Commissioner Mrs Henry added the force has also introduced an internal ‘Call It Out’ campaign.
She says this “demands all officers and staff report unprofessional behaviour” of their colleagues, including misogyny, sexual misconduct, racism and homophobia.
The campaign ensures anyone who reports these actions “will be supported and action will be taken,” Mrs Henry added, saying this sends a “clear message” about standards at the force.
In a statement, she said: “Police officers must always be held to the highest possible standards of conduct for any police force to maintain the fundamental principle of policing by consent.
“The publication of these sexual misconduct figures by Nottinghamshire Police is a clear sign of a commitment to transparency and a determination to ensure there is no place for sexual misconduct within the force.
“[It shows] the public all allegations are investigated and dealt with appropriately based on the evidence.”
Mrs Henry also said the force has a “proactive and thorough” professional standards department which acts “swift and strong” towards sexual misconduct.
“My office will continue to use the full extent of our powers to scrutinise the force on how robustly it tackles discriminatory, inappropriate, unprofessional and/ or criminal behaviour among its officers and staff,” she added.
The petition, which has so far attracted over 100 signatures, calls on the council to remove the plug at the junction of Burton Road with Colliery Way.
Locals want it removed as it ‘slows traffic’ and ‘increases carbon emissions’.
PICTURED: Cllrs Sam Smith, left, and Mike Adams, right, at the site of the bus plug (PHOTO: Facebook)
The petition has been started by Conservative Councillors Mike Adams and Sam Smith, who represent the Trent Valley ward on Gedling Borough Council,
In a statement they said:“We’re campaigning to remove the bus-plug on Burton Road in Gedling. You can help us by signing our petition, which will be handed in to Nottinghamshire County Council.
“The bus-plug on Burton Road in Gedling, near its junction with the Colliery Way (GAR), is no longer necessary. Its traffic lights are within a few metres of the new traffic lights at the junction of Colliery Way as it connects to the A612. This close proximity between the two sets of traffic lights and the bus-plug’s single lane causes tailbacks, particularly during peak times. These tailbacks delay journeys and cause additional carbon to be emitted by cars idling next to a school.
Local resident Kevin Doyle backed calls for the plug’s removal.
He said: “It’s a meaningless, structural impediment which halts and slows traffic thus causing more carbon emissions. Also it’s removal will lower the driving anxiety of many.”
Val Baker posted on the petition page: “It’s totally unnecessary; serves no purpose.”
Here’s our latest round-up of latest events taking place from Friday 28 April to Thursday 4 May across the borough.
Friday, April 28
Hoovering on the Edge – Burton Joyce Village Hall, Burton Joyce, 7.30pm
Thursday April 27 – Saturday April 29
Burton Joyce Players present “Hoovering on the edge” a comedy drama by Hilary Spiers. The play will be staged at Burton Joyce Village Hall on Thursday 27th to Saturday 29th April 2023. Performances will commence at 7.30pm.
Tickets, £8.00 per person, are available to purchase from Tuesday 28th March 2023 at Rhubarbs Cafe, (Church Road), NOLA Coffee & Deli and the Willow Tea Room (both Main Street) or online from www.ticketsource.co.uk/bjp
Drag Night Bella End & Jupiter – Calverton Working Men’s Club
Please contact venue to confirm availability and details
A quick word from ‘This is Gedling’ Magazine who sponsor The Vibe
Covering the whole of Gedlng borough ‘This is Gedling’ magazine is being distributed now – you can pick up a FREE copy at your local pub, club, venue, theatre, takeaway.
This is Gedling is a Not for Profit (NfP) community initiative that depends on the support of advertisers, contributors, readers and donors to continue to bring FREE borough news and general interest content to the all 46 square miles and 120k residents of Gedling borough.
