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Police warning to repeat offenders in Gedling borough over new face recognition technology

Police say persistent offenders in Gedling borough are now more likely to be arrested now that they are using new technology that can recognise their faces. 

The new tool can instantly recognise suspects who have been in trouble with the law before – using high-tech software to cross reference any new video or photographic evidence linked to crime with existing mugshots that are legally held on record.

By comparing the images officers will then be told of any suspected matches found on the system – making it both easier and quicker to track down people wanted in connection with incidents. 

The scheme is reliant on the quality of the image obtained as well as key facial attributes such as eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth and overall face outline.

Detective Inspector Leslie Charlton has been leading the team responsible for the bringing the new tool into Nottinghamshire Police.

He said: “We have always relied upon circulating images through our social media channels, our website and internally to help catch criminals or find wanted people but now thanks to this technology officers will be able to potentially identify suspects quicker.

“Thanks to this scheme it means officers will be able to track down wanted people quicker and repeat offenders who continue to commit offences in Nottinghamshire time and time again. 

“Officers are able to send over any criminal evidence images taken from CCTV cameras and compare the image against mugshots held legally by the force.

“The software works using mathematical algorithms and will generate possible matches but it does not prove the images are of the same person.

“Officers will then carry out further investigations including a visual comparison between the image and any potential matches to make sure the match made by the pilot scheme is correct.”

Assistant Chief Constable Steven Cooper, of Nottinghamshire Police, added: “Schemes like this are a vital way for officers to quickly take repeat offenders off our streets. 

“We see time and time again the same offenders committing offences and causing a nuisance on the streets of Nottinghamshire but now thanks to this intelligence tool it means our officers will be able to quickly match the suspect to the security image, carry out further enquiries and then question them on any incidents. 

“We want to reassure the people of Nottinghamshire that we are committed to doing everything we can to keep people safe and cracking down on those who decided to keep on offending even after being dealt with. 

“It is our duty to keep people safe and using tools and new schemes like this will greatly help us quickly find wanted suspects and make it easier for officers to carry out their job.”

Grants available for Gedling borough firms affected by Omicron

Businesses in Gedling borough most impacted by the Omicron variant can now apply for Government grant support.

The scheme will provide support to hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses in recognition of the impact the rise of the Omicron variant.

It is administered by Gedling Borough Council with funding provided by the Government.

Business may be eligible for a grant from the council if they meet the following criteria:

  • Occupies a property in Gedling with a business rate account.
  • Is a hospitality, leisure or accommodation business.
  • Was trading on December 30, 2021.
  • Has not exceeded the Covid-19 Business Grant Subsidy Allowance.
Gedling Borough Council
The grants are being administrated by Gedling Borough Council

Grant amounts are based on the rateable value of properties at December 30, 2021.

Eligible businesses will receive a grant of:

  • £2,667 for each property with a rateable value of exactly £15,000 or under
  • £4,000 for each property with a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000
  • £6,000 for each property with a rateable value of exactly £51,000 or over.

Those looking to apply will need the following documents to complete their application.

  • Your most recent 2021/22 business rates bill
  • A bank statement that covers a period within the last 3 months. This must show the bank account holder name, address, sort code, account number and transactions to demonstrate trading.

You can apply for the business grants on the council’s website HERE

Covid: 171 new cases recorded in Gedling borough

The number of Covid cases recorded across Gedling borough fell in the last 24 hours, official figures show.

171 new cases of recorded, which is down from 227 on Tuesday.

The total recorded in Nottinghamshire was also down with 1,866 new cases in Nottinghamshire – a drop from 2,355 counted on Tuesday.

You can see the figures from our local authority areas below. The previous day’s number is shown in brackets:

Ashfield 207 (283)

Bassetlaw 280  (270)

Broxtowe 181 (191)

Gedling 171 (227)

Mansfield 202 (242)

Newark 173 (165)

Nottingham 474 (589)

Rushcliffe 178 (206)

Cafe bar extension and 28-home development amongst planning applications in Gedling borough this week

Plans for 28 new homes in Gedling and an extension to a cafe bar in Mapperley are among the planning applications that have been made this week across Gedling borough

Every week dozens of planning applications are submitted to the council – and the recent coronavirus pandemic has not changed that.

Here is the list of applications that have been submitted and validated by Gedling Borough Council in the last week.

Visit the council site HERE the links below to find out more and to have your say…

Arnold

Proposed single storey extensions and alterations to the front and rear of the existing building to facilitate additional 3 bedrooms and a new laundry/utility room to the residential care home. 

Orla House 317 Mapperley Plains Arnold NG3 5RG

Ref. No: 2021/1421 

Bestwood

No planning applications this week

Burton Joyce

Use of building as a single residential dwelling

106A Bridle Road Burton Joyce NG14 5FP

Ref. No: 2021/1416 

Erection of 4 metre high fencing and gates to enclose an area of the existing Sports Ground so that it can be used as an area for informal play. Erection of multi-use goal and extension to existing artificial turf area in front of goal.

The Poplars Sports Ground Station Road Burton Joyce Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG14 5AN

Ref. No: 2021/1197

Calverton

Conversion of outbuilding to self contained annex.

3 Ramsdale Cottages Oxton Road Calverton NG5 8PS

Ref. No: 2021/1449

Planning_Gedling

Carlton

Extension to commercial garage to create additional work and storage areas

301 Carlton Hill Carlton NG4 1GP

Ref. No: 2021/1439

Approval of details reserved by conditons 3 (materials), 4 (boundary treatments) and 5 (landscaping) of planning permission 2019/0961

12A Broadway East Carlton NG4 1AG

Ref. No: 2021/1402 

Erection of a single storey rear extension following demolition of existing lean-to conservatory. 

279 Oakdale Road Carlton NG4 1BP

Ref. No: 2021/1336 

Colwick

Erection of x4 advertising (48-sheet) billboards (with internal backlighting)

Factory 4 Road No 7 Colwick Nottinghamshire

Ref. No: 2021/1452 

Daybrook

Gedling

Erection of 28 four-bedroom 2.5 storey houses; associated parking and access road. 

Land At Grange View Road Gedling Nottinghamshire

Ref. No: 2021/1398 

Ground floor rear extension, new drive and ramping to front garden

2 Willow Crescent Gedling Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG4 4BL

Ref. No: 2021/1380

Lambley

No planning applications this week

Linby

No planning applications this week

Mapperley

Proposed two storey rear extension.

Tipsy T 908 Woodborough Road Mapperley Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG3 5QR

Ref. No: 2021/1343

Netherfield

No planning applications this week

Newstead

Installation of biodigester

Newstead Abbey Park, Abbeyfields Farm Cottage Station Avenue Newstead NG15 8GE

Ref. No: 2021/1443

Papplewick

No planning applications this week

Ravenshead

Double storey front extension, lower ground floor extension with front balcony and access platform and stairs and alterations to openings in the front elevation. 

Newstead Abbey Park, Phoenix Nottingham Road Ravenshead NG15 8GD

Ref. No: 2021/1453 

Single storey extension to front and side of property

21 Regina Crescent Ravenshead NG15 9AE

Ref. No: 2021/1447

Proposed single story side and rear extension, proposed single story porch, proposed first floor rear extension, Proposed partial cladding with existing roofing material, Proposed loft conversion, Replacement of existing windows 

Bracken House Blidworth Waye Ravenshead NG15 8GB

Ref. No: 2021/1446

G1 (group of beeches on front boundary by roadside). Lift to 6m above carriageway. Largest overhanging laterals above 6m to have end weight reduced. Major deadwood removed throughout and crown clean. T1. Silver birch. Fell. Severe lean and wound on main stem near base. Low amenity value. T2. Oak. Crown clean and lift to 5m. Historic poor pruning has lead to poor unions with excessive regrowth. Reduce regrowth from old pollard knuckles & remove leader to alleviate stress on pruning cuts. T3. Oak. Same action as T2. 

128 Nottingham Road Ravenshead NG15 9HL

Ref. No: 2021/1437TPO

Replacement roof incorporating dormer windows and single storey front extension 

43 Milton Crescent Ravenshead NG15 9BA

Ref. No: 2021/1404 

Redhill

Single Storey side extension 

269 Mansfield Road Redhill NG5 8LW

Ref. No: 2021/1457

Two storey side extension

5 Salcombe Circus Redhill Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG5 8JJ

Ref. No: 2021/1426

Stoke Bardolph

No planning applications this week

Woodborough

No planning applications this week

Woodthorpe

Rear eaves level raised in line with the front of property and construct rear domer.

47 Thackerays Lane Woodthorpe NG5 4HU

Ref. No: 2021/1450 

To extend the existing rear single storey extension, form a new 2no storey side extension with pitched roofs over, to extend the front drive with drainage and a new dropped kerb.

5A Breck Hill Road Woodthorpe NG5 4GP

Ref. No: 2021/1412

Gedling MP and council leaders clash over delayed rollout of Omicron business grants in borough

Gedling MP Tom Randall and Council leaders John Clarke and Michael Payne have today exchanged angry letters about the delayed rollout of Omicron business grants across the borough.

Mr Randall sent a letter to Gedling Borough Council leader John Clarke earlier today which he also shared on his social media channels.

The Gedling MP wanted to know why the application form for businesses hadn’t yet appeared on the council’s website

He wrote: “I note that councils have been provided with funding and guidance for Omicron Business Support Grants and a further Additional Restriction Grant on January 7 but these are yet to go live on Gedling Borough Council’s website so that Gedling’s businesses can apply for them.

He added: “It’s vital that our businesses are supported during these times and that local jobs are protected.

“These grants are now available in Broxtowe, Rushcliffe, Newark, Bassetlaw and Mansfield but not yet in Gedling borough.”

Mr Randall said the delay, which he claimed also happened during the last round of funding, was ‘frustrating’ and ‘to the detriment of local businesses and jobs’.

He called on the council leader to confirm when the grant application process would now be going live

The Gedling Leaders Councillor Clarke and Payne were quick to respond this afternoon in a letter also now available on the council social media accounts.

They wrote: “Our local businesses are the lifeblood of our community and have shown considerable resilience in the face of immense challenges throughout the Covid pandemic. Gedling Borough Council will continue to do all it can to support them.”

Tom Randall
PICTURED: Tom Randall
Gedling-Borough-Council
Gedling leader John Clarke, left and deputy leader Michael Payne, right. (Credit: Joseph Raynor)

Cllrs Clarke and Payne said the government’s formal offer letter for the funding amount had only just arrived this morning (January 11), which they pointed out was on the same day as the MP’s letter regarding the matter.

They said that staff at Gedling Borough Council had worked hard to hand out more than £30.5 million in business grants throughout the pandemic.

They wrote: “It’s a real shame you deem it acceptable for you and your Government to take 18 days between an announcement of these grants and actually issuing the official guidance for them, but you’ve not extended the courtesy of the same time for our hardworking staff who are working tirelessly to ensure these business grant schemes go live as soon as possible.”

The councillors also went onto claim that neighbouring councils in Nottinghamshire were receiving a lot more in funding for the business grants.

Their figures revealed that Newark & Sherwood would receive £205,187.46 for Additional Restrictions Grants, with Rushcliffe being awarded £228,928 and Bassetlaw getting £172,332. Gedling is set to receive £150,711

They also said Gedling would receive £594,024 to give out to help hospitality businesses in the borough, which is less that the £1,458,099 being handed to Newark, £804,051 being awarded to Rushcliffe and £1,134,090 being given to Bassetlaw.

They added: “Is this another example of your Government ‘levelling up’ every part of the United Kingdom? Or is this Gedling’s businesses and communities being shortchanged again?”

One-off grants of up to £6,000 are available to help businesses in Gedling borough impacted by the latest round of restrictions introduced by the government to reduce the impact of the Omicron variant.

EMR announces plan to trim train timetable in response to Covid pressures

East Midlands Railway have today announced plans to trim regional timetables in response to ‘Covid pressures’.

The train firm said they will make a small reduction to some timetables from Monday, January 17, following higher staff absence rates and a decrease in customer demand.

The following changes will impact services at Carlton and Burton Joyce:

The 1208 Crewe to Newark Castle will not run between Derby and Newark Castle.

The 1436 Newark Castle to Crewe will not run between Newark Castle and Derby.

Train services on this route will not run on Sunday, this is a continuation of the revised Sunday timetable which has been in operation throughout most of 2021.

Train_tickets

EMR says the changes have been introduced because it is experiencing high levels of Covid-related absence among its workforce and that advice to work from home means passenger demand is also very low.

The timetable changes will see a reduction in EMR services of approximately 4 per cent – with the most popular services remaining unaffected.

Paul Barnfield, Operations Director at East Midlands Railway, said: This small reduction is intended to provide a reliable service as well as ensuring there is still enough capacity for those who are still travelling.

“These changes will be kept under daily review and we will make alterations if and when needed. In the meantime, I would ask our customers to check their journey before travelling by visiting our website, www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk.”

Deadline looms for parents to apply for their child’s reception or year 3 school place in Gedling borough

The deadline for parents to submit applications for their child’s school place in Gedling borough is just a few days away, but there are still families who have not completed their applications or have only listed one school preference on their application – where there should be four.

For parents whose children will turn five years old between September 1, 2022 and August 31, 2023, the application deadline for their reception school place or for children who are due to transfer from infant (year 2) to a junior/primary (year 3) school place, is on Saturday, January 15.

Currently, 32% of reception applications and 5% of year 3 applications submitted across Notts so not made use of their four preferences.

Nottinghamshire County Council say the best advice for a strong application is to list four schools and make sure to include schools where the child would meet higher criteria. Doing so will give parents the best chance of getting their child into a school they are happy with. They say It is important to remember there is no guarantee of a place at a school even if you live in the catchment area or attend a linked primary school. 

Any parents who have already submitted their application are able to edit their applications right up to the deadline, so anyone who has not made use of their four school preferences still has until January 15 to add preferences to their application. Those who applied online must remember to resubmit the application if they make any changes, otherwise the changes will be lost.

Applications received after the closing date, including changes of preference, are considered late, and will be processed after all on-time applications. 

County Hall Nottingham
PICTURED: County Hall

Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee, Councillor Tracey Taylor, said: “If it is your first child who is starting in reception, we want to make sure that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision which will give you the best chance of getting your child into your preferred school. 

“It is important that all parents are aware they must make an application, even if their child is already attending a nursery. 

“Children do not automatically transfer from nursery to full-time school, or from infant school to a junior or primary school. 

“I also want to encourage parents to use all of their preferences. Last year, over 98% of families who applied for a primary school place on time were offered one of their preferred schools.”

Parents of children living in Nottinghamshire will need to apply through Nottinghamshire County Council, even if they wish to apply for schools in other local authority areas such as Nottingham City or Derbyshire.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online, but parents who do not have internet access can telephone 0300 500 80 80 to apply. Parents who apply online will be able to log in to their account on National Offer Day, 19 April 2022, to view the outcome of their application. All other applicants will have to wait a few days for a letter sent by second class post on National Offer Day.

The council’s website www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions has information to help with the application process, including ‘Admissions to Schools: Guide for Parents 2022-2023’ which contains lots of useful information and advice. 

Covid cases in Gedling borough continue to fall

The number of covid cases being reported in Gedling borough has dropped.

Figures published yesterday evening (10) show 148 cases were reported across the borough – which is down from 236 recorded on the previous day.

The news comes as a new rule on testing comes into force.

From today (11) people without Covid symptoms no longer need a PCR test to confirm a positive lateral flow in England.

In Nottinghamshire 2,067 cases were reported. Again, this was down from the 2,736 recorded the previous day.

Mansfield recorded a dramatic fall in numbers, with 191 recorded – a drop from 341 recorded during the previous 24 hours.

Covid-testing

You can see the test figures from across Notts below. Figures in brackets show the previous day’s recorded numbers…

Ashfield 229 (261)

Bassetlaw 395  (235)

Broxtowe 170 (185)

Gedling 148 (236)

Mansfield 191 (341)

Newark 192 (297)

Nottingham 561 (687)

Rushcliffe 181 (202)

51-year-old missing woman from Arnold found safe and well

A 51-year-old woman who was missing from the Arnold area has been located safe and well Nottinghamshire Police have said.

Victoria was reported missing to police from the Arnold area last Thursday.

She had last been seen wearing a brown teddy bear fleece hoody, black trousers and black shoes and was carrying a red TK Maxx shopping bag.

But earlier today, officers revealed they had found her ‘safe and well’

The said: “Victoria has been located. Thank you for your comments and shares.”

Graffiti vandals target Netherfield Station

Graffiti vandals have targeted Netherfield Station.

Those responsible for helping manage the station have now voiced their disappointment following the incident.

The team at Poacher Line believe the site was targeted over recent days.

They say work has taken place recently to try and improve the site, which welcomes trains from Grantham, Skegness and Nottingham.

Jo Andrews is community rail officer for Poacher Line, which helps manage station improvements.

PHOTO: Jo Andrews/Facebook

She said she was ‘disappointed’ to find the station covered in graffiti.

But the officer hopes that it might be possible to work with those responsible to produce something more creative.

She said: “If you are responsible, we would be happy to work with you to produce some positive and meaningful artwork at the station – instead of this random and pointless vandalism.”

Those interested in working to produce new artwork for the station can contact the team online at: https://poacherline.org.uk/get-in-touch/