Nottinghamshire Police has been told to improve how it records crime following an inspection.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded Nottinghamshire Police’s performance across nine areas of policing and found the force was ‘good’ in two areas, ‘adequate’ in six areas and ‘requires improvement’ in one area.
HMICFRS said while Nottinghamshire is good at investigating crime, more needs to be done to ensure it is recording it effectively.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Roy Wilsher, said: “I am pleased with some aspects of Nottinghamshire Police’s performance in keeping people safe and reducing crime, but there are areas where it needs to improve.
“The force is good at investigating crime – once a crime is recorded, the force carries out effective investigations, allocating them to staff who have the capacity and capability to investigate them appropriately.
PICTURED: Sherwood Lodge
“The force is effective at recruiting a diverse workforce. In the year ending March 31, 2021, the force recruited the highest percentage (19.5 percent) of new police officers who were Black, Asian or from a minority ethnic group, compared with the other 43 forces in England and Wales.
“It has also made significant progress in supporting the wellbeing of its workforce and makes effective use of technology to support frontline policing. The force looks for opportunities to help staff on the front line.
“However, the force needs to improve its crime recording processes, particularly when recording crimes related to violent offences, domestic abuse or behavioural crime.
“The force also needs to improve the way it responds to calls. We found call handlers do not always give callers advice on preventing crime or preserving evidence before officers arrive at a scene.
“Nottinghamshire should also consider its approach to problem-solving policing. We found that most of the time, frontline neighbourhood staff are deployed to areas where they can work with communities, offering reassurance and building confidence in the force. But sometimes neighbourhood teams miss opportunities to involve other organisations and the public in jointly managing and solving problems.
“I look forward to monitoring the force’s progress towards addressing the areas I have identified for improvement.”
Businesses and agencies pumping raw and untreated sewage into Gedling’s waters and rivers will be asked “challenging questions” by a new council group set up to tackle the issue.
Gedling Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny committee has approved the new group, which will complete a “thorough review” of any sewage being discharged into the River Trent and local waterways.
The move follows a motion approved at the authority’s full council meeting in November last year, which came in response to the Government’s controversial Environment Bill.
The bill, ratified by Parliament last year, led to anger from opposition and local leaders after 268 MPs voted down an amendment to fine water companies and agencies for pumping sewage into rivers and the sea.
However, Sherwood MP Mark Spencer and Gedling MP Tom Randall, two Conservative MPs who both voted down the amendment, said the act will produce a statutory plan to reduce discharges and call on agencies to be more transparent.
The November motion, put forward by Labour councillors, pushed for water companies to take “all reasonable steps to ensure untreated sewage is not discharged from storm overflows”.
It also aimed to eliminate the practice of discharging raw sewage into English rivers, waterways and oceans, rather than simply reducing the amount.
And the authority agreed to engage with agencies including Severn Trent Water, the Environment Agency, Nottinghamshire County Council and the Government to stop the discharge of sewage into waters and rivers.
The approved motion also called on the council’s overview and scrutiny committee to set up the all-councillor working group, which will monitor the issue and raise questions with environmental agencies.
Now the authority has made this group a reality, with documents confirming it will work with organisations including The Rivers Trust to “apply pressure” to leading organisations.
The documents add the group will work with organisations locally to “prevent any impact on the environment”.
Councillor Rachael Ellis (Lab), who represents Bestwood St Albans, welcomed the working group being set up and said it will allow members to ask challenging questions.
Speaking during the meeting this week, she said: “I was really pleased to see this report and very much welcome it.
“It opens the door for us to ask some quite challenging questions, I hope, and I would like to support creating a working group with quite a wide-ranging remit.”
Cllr Liz Clunie (Lab), chair of the overview and scrutiny committee, agreed there are “quite a few things” the working group will assess.
Cllr Clunie, who represents the Cavendish ward, said: “We don’t have to spell out the actual, direct remit right now – that would come out from the scope of the group.
“But there are probably quite a few things we could think about.”
And Cllr Michael Boyle (Lab), the councillor who submitted the initial motion to November’s full council, welcomed the issue being looked into “in detail”.
Cllr Boyle, who represents the Plains ward, added: “I welcome this and the fact we’re looking into this in detail, as we called for at full council.”
The all-councillor group will now be set up by the committee, with Cllr Clunie indicating she would look to also chair the working group.
Nottingham City Council says there have been delays in submitting a planning application for a brand new £9m bridge over the River Trent.
The new pedestrian and cycle bridge at Trent Basin will create better links between West Bridgford and Nottingham city centre.
It will also make it easier for walkers and cyclists to access places such as Colwick Park from the south side of the river as well as Nottingham Forest’s City Ground from the north.
The project is being funded by the Government with a Spring 2023 opening date.
But the Nottingham Local Access Forum heard on Wednesday, 27 April, there will be delays in delivering the project.
Keith Morgan, principal senior transport planner at the council, told the forum:
“We have got a design and have consulted on the design.
“We have been working with an architect – and are in the process of talking to people to build that bridge.
“The logistics, the programme, and the costs on how we will get a bridge in that location.
“We have delayed the planning application.
“We want to make sure when we put in all these visuals, they are accurate. They are not going to change a lot.”
When asked when the planning application is likely to be submitted, Mr Morgan said: “We will submit a planning application later in the year. It will be at the end of this calendar year and then build it as soon as possible.”
The planning application was due to have been submitted this month (April) but is now set for around “September/November” time.
The structure will be the first new bridge over the River Trent in Nottingham since Clifton Bridge opened in 1958.
The boundary between the city council and Rushcliffe borough runs along the centre of the river, so a joint planning application will be needed.
Last year, it was recommended Trent Basin was the preferred location for the new bridge.
Other options such as Trent Lane were discounted due to complex engineering concerns, potential impacts on existing residents and the need to remove sensitive trees on the south bank.
Building a bridge at Poulton Drive was deemed achievable, but did not offer the same connectivity benefits that the Trent Basin location will provide.
New apartments and a retail unit and plans for tree removals are just some of the many applications submitted to Gedling Borough Council in the last week.
Here is a round-up of the latest plans that the council’s planning officers will now decide on.
Arnold
Fell Elm trees to ground level St Marys Church Church Lane Arnold Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0513TPO5
Erection of a proposed single storey front/side/rear extension and erection of pergola with solar panels (to replace an existing conservatory) to the SE elevation. 31 Greendale Road Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 6QD Ref. No: 2022/0474
The demolition of an existing outbuilding to make way for a new two-bedroom detached two storey dwelling 110 Birchfield Road Arnold NG5 8BS Ref. No: 2022/0461
Demolition of existing building and the creation of residential apartments and a ground floor commercial units. 135-141 Front Street Arnold Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG5 7ED Ref. No: 2021/1135
Bestwood
No planning applications this week
Burton Joyce
Two storey side extension (amendments to permission 2021/0965) 210 Nottingham Road Burton Joyce Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG14 5BD Ref. No: 2022/0418
Calverton
Single storey side and rear extension 17 Mews Lane Calverton Nottinghamshire NG14 6JW Ref. No: 2022/0462
Storage of 1 no. touring caravan The Small Holding Carrington Lane Calverton Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0481
The siting of 1no. static caravan for the purpose of an amenity space ancillary to the equestrian use of the landholding and erection of decking that surrounds it The Small Holding Carrington Lane Calverton Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0482
External insulation and chalk white render to existing dwelling 8 Paddock Close Calverton Nottinghamshire NG14 6GJ Ref. No: 2022/0390
Replacement door and windows 49 Main Street Calverton Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG14 6FJ Ref. No: 2022/0301
Carlton
Single storey rear extension and loft conversion 175 Standhill Road Carlton Nottinghamshire NG4 1JT Ref. No: 2022/0452
Single storey rear extension, access ramp to side and car parking space to front garden. 86 Southdale Drive Carlton Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG4 1BZ Ref. No: 2022/0459
Colwick
Approval of details reserved by conditions 8 (contamination), 9 (remediation) and 10 ( unexpected contamination) of planning permission 2021/1080 Land South Of Colwick Loop Road Road No 3 Colwick Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0487DOC
Gedling
Single storey rear and side extension 54 Vernon Avenue Gedling Nottinghamshire NG4 3FX Ref. No: 2022/0456
Conversion of double garage to a lymphatic drainage clinic 1 De Buseli Close Gedling Nottinghamshire NG4 2SH Ref. No: 2022/0447
Lambley
No planning applications this week
Linby
No planning applications this week
Mapperley
Demolition of 1no. property and construction of 2no. dormer bungalows Land Between 33 And 35 Marshall Road Mapperley Nottinghamshire NG3 6HS Ref. No: 2022/0486
A new and improved Saturday train service to Skegness will not stop at Netherfield, it has been announced.
East Midlands Railway this week announced plans for a revamped service to the seaside resort of Skegness on Saturdays.
The new service is part of their new timetable which will be launched on May 15.
The service will now begin at Derby and take passengers up to the Lincolnshire town four times a day.
East Midlands Railway said they would be using their Class 180 trains on the route. The Class 180s are typically used on EMR Intercity services to and from London St Pancras International and are designed with more luggage space than the Class 156 trains which operate the majority of the Poacher Line services.
But when Gedling Eye contacted the operator to enquire about whether the service would be calling at Netherfield Station, which has been a stop for passengers in the past, we were told it won’t.
A spokesman for EMR said: “It will not stop at Netherfield I am afraid. Derby, Nottingham, Grantham, Sleaford, Boston and Skegness only.”
Services will run every Saturday from July 23 through to September 10 at the following times:
0758 Derby – Skegness
0923 Derby – Skegness
1142 Skegness – Derby
1344 Skegness – Derby
But two weekday services to the seaside resort are returning to Netherfield Station from May 15.
Passengers will be again be able to board a train to the Lincolnshire twon at 8.53am and 13.48pm on Monday to Fridays.
The services had been suspended due to low winter demand and the Covid pandemic.
Neil Grabham, customer services director for East Midlands Railway, said: “Our Skegness route is very popular with our customers in the summer and every year we help thousands of families as they head to the coast to enjoy all the treats the seaside getaway can offer.”
Whatsapp users in Gedling borough are urged to be on the alert over a new scam involving fraudsters posing as WhatsApp Support.
WABetaInfo, a blog dedicated to news about the messaging app, issued the alert earlier this week.
According to the blog, a WhatsApp user was contacted by a fake account that was trying to steal their information.
The social media scammers reportedly pose as the official WhatsApp Support account to con users out of their personal information.
They send out messages from accounts featuring a profile photo that contains a verified badge support use.
Users are advised to block and report the contact within the app’s chat function.
The messages reportedly seek to obtain private information such as credit card details, with a warning that failure to provide them could result in the WhatsApp account being terminated.
In some cases, users are asked for a 6-digit code that would provide access to their WhatsApp account, WABetaInfo said.
Genuine WhatsApp support services do not request credit card details or the 6-digit code or two-step verification PIN.
“If someone wants to get this information, it means it is a fake account that’s trying to scam you,” WABetaInfo said.
“In this case, just block and report the fake contact right within their chat info: last 5 messages from this chat will be shared with the official WhatsApp moderation team so they can understand the context of the conversation and they can suspend the account.
“Note that this is not limited to WhatsApp: fake accounts may impersonate anyone, even your friends and family, so be aware when unknown contacts pretend to be someone you may know.”
People want to live longer nowadays, and given that people are also having to work for longer and aren’t able to retire as young as they once could, this topic has become more and more prevalent of late.
People have done all sorts of things of late to make sure that they’re able to live long, fulfilling lives, ranging from taking a lateral flow test after visiting busy places to eating healthier, more balanced diets. There are so many things that can be done to help make sure that your health is in top condition and in this article we’ll be detailing just a handful.
1. Eat a balanced and healthy diet
One of the most important things you can do for your health is to make sure you’re eating a balanced and healthy diet. This means incorporating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein into your meals while limiting processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Whole foods are the way to go, and this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to become a vegetarian or vegan; just know what your body responds well to and treat everything with moderation.
Eating healthy doesn’t just mean eating vegetables all the time either though; it also means you need to watch your macros and ensure that the food that you eat is addressing specific needs that your body has. This will differ depending on your build, metabolism, and any health conditions.
2. Exercise regularly
Another key factor for living a longer and healthier life is to exercise regularly. This doesn’t mean you have to spend hours at the gym each day; although that is certainly an option, it can also be as simple as taking a brisk walk every day or going for a light jog. The important thing is to get your body moving and to find an exercise routine that you enjoy so that you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Other ways to improve how active you are include sitting less during the day, opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, and taking regular breaks from your workstation to move around. If you aren’t able to commit to the gym, many of us aren’t because of our busy schedules, then look for ways to improve how active you are in everyday life. A little change here and there goes a long way to improving both how you feel and how your body works.
3. Get enough sleep
In order for your body to function optimally, it’s important to get enough sleep each night. Most people need around 7-8 hours per night, but this can vary depending on your individual needs. Sleep is something that is really slept on, so to speak, but has a huge impact not only on your immediate headspace but also long term. Studies have shown that regular sleep that is of a good level can help you reduce stress on the brain as well as the heart.
If you find that you’re not getting enough sleep or if you’re struggling to fall asleep at night, there are a few things you can do to help improve the situation, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed, creating a bedtime routine, and using a noise machine or relaxation app to help you calm down and fall asleep. It’s the little things, but they definitely all add up and have an impact.
4. Manage your stress levels
Chronic stress can have a negative impact on your health and can lead to a number of health problems such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. This is why it’s important to find ways to manage your stress levels on a daily basis. Some effective methods for doing this include practising meditation or mindfulness, journaling, deep breathing exercises, and spending time outdoors in nature.
You could look to reduce your workload at work if you can afford to do so, whilst also looking to minimise any external factors that may be causing you any stress or feelings of uneasiness or discontent.
If you’re struggling at work, speak to the designated HR representative as you will be able to bounce ideas off one another. If you have a union that you belong to, you could discuss any stresses with them and they may be able to help ensure that you can get an outcome that addresses this.
5. Stay positive
Last but not least, one of the most important things you can do for your health is to stay positive. This means having a good attitude towards life, looking on the bright side of things, and being grateful for what you do have. Research has shown that people who are positive tend to live longer and have better health than those who are negative or pessimistic.
If you hate your job, look to make a switch to somewhere where you can fulfil your passions and let that dictate how you move through life. If you love to write, perhaps look to do some freelancing work on the side where you can refine your skills, experiment with different styles, and see if this is a viable way for you to earn a living and reduce your reliance on your full-time job.
Discount supermarket giant Lidl has launched a nationwide search for new store locations, and is offering to pay the public thousands of pounds for their suggestions.
The retailer has revealed it is investing £1.3 billion in its expansion across 2022, and is now offering a finder’s fee to people who can help successfully-identify suitable sites for new stores up and down the country.
It comes as the retailer has published its annual list of locations across the country where it’s interested in acquiring sites for potential store developments.
Nottingham is one of the cities that Lidl has identified in the annual list, along with other major UK locations including London, Liverpool, Bristol, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Swansea, Sheffield, Oxford, Southampton and more
Since the beginning of 2022 alone, Lidl has already opened 23 new stores – but the retailer is now looking “provide more communities with access to high quality food at the lowest possible prices”.
And now it needs your help and suggestions.
Chief Development Officer at Lidl GB Richard Taylor said: “We know that the majority of British shoppers still love doing their shopping in person and we are as committed as ever to opening new stores and enhancing our existing ones
“We’re opening an average of one new store a week, which is incredible, and our teams have done a phenomenal job of keeping that pace going over the last couple of years, but there are still communities up and down the country that are telling us how much they want – and need – a Lidl store [and although] we work with some of the best people in the industry to identify new sites, we also know how engaged our future and existing customers are and we want to build on this.”
The fee is either 1.5% of the total freehold purchase price or 10% of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5 million site purchase, according to Lidl.
Mr Taylor continued: “Our finder’s fees are, therefore, available to absolutely anyone that can identify a viable option for a new store that we’re not already aware of, and we welcome any suitable suggestions.”
You can find out more, and suggest new store locations on the Lidl website here.
The proposal for 135-141 Front Street would see the existing building knocked down to create residential apartments and one ground floor commercial unit.
Validation represents a decision by the local planning authority on an application and associated information starting its determination of whether to grant or refuse planning permission.
A petition was launched back in November to save the Blue Circle chip shop, which is one of the retailers expected to be affected.
The petition, put forward by Maureen Lane, aimed to save the family-run Arnold chippy, which she said ‘is loved by many residents’.
The petition stated: “Blue Circle has been serving our community the best fish and chips by the same family for many years the current owner took over from his father 50 years ago.”
