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Inspector Chris Pearson’s latest update on policing activities across Gedling borough during December

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Inspector Chris Pearson’s latest update on policing activities across Gedling borough during December

Gedling Police inspector Chris Pearson provides his latest update on policing activities that have taken place across the borough over the last month...

Speeding

A number of speeding and road safety operations were carried out during December and
this was heavily linked to community feedback and the national Christmas Drink/Drug
driving campaign. Policing activity was supported by both Operation Reacher and the
Neighbourhood Policing teams.

Police drink drive crackdown
Police were stopping suspected drink-drivers over the festive period

On Monday, December 21, the Arnold neighbourhood team supported this work with an evening of action in the Gedling North area. During the evening officers attended the A60 Mansfield Road at Ravenshead and Redhill, Rolleston Drive in Arnold and Plains Road Mapperley. 35 vehicles were stopped by officers for a variety of road traffic offences from Speeding through to defective vehicle lights. All motorists were breathalysed in line with the national campaign with all passing the test. One motorist was given advice after alcohol was detected in their breath sample.

A speeding operation was also carried out on Main Road, Ravenshead however there were no drivers that were found to be exceeding the speed limit.

Over on the Gedling South area the Carlton Neigbourhood team have continued to support
this priority with speeding operations carried out on Spring lane, Lambley and the A612
Nottingham Road at Burton Joyce. Four motorists were issued with Traffic Offence Reports
for excessive speed on Spring Lane with the highest recorded speed being 65mph.
Over on the A612 a further three motorists were dealt with for excessive speed with the
highest recorded speed being 48mph. In addition to this all drivers stopped were given
advice and a briefing as to why this work is taking place across the Gedling Borough.

The Operation Reacher team also supported the Road Safety Agenda during December
with vehicles seized for no insurance, Tax or MOT. Two drivers also tested positive for
drugs at the roadside after stop/checks on Coppice Road and Valley Road, Carlton. A driver
was also arrested after they tested positive for Cannabis following a vehicle stop on Killisick Road in Arnold.

Speeding will remain a priority for us and we are now planning further enforcement activity
for January 2021.

Drug Supply

Drug Supply remains a priority for us at Gedling as this has a real impact on our
communities and is linked to a number of serious crimes across the area.

The Operation Reacher team got December off to a good start when they assisted
with an investigation into the supply of controlled drugs across Nottinghamshire.
Warrants were executed in Gedling and Arnold resulting in the arrest of four men
aged between 32 and 40 for conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

cannabis-plants-mapperley
Cannabis plants found at a property on Mapperley Plains

On December 9, the Reacher team stopped a vehicle on Valley Road, Carlton whilst on
patrol. The driver was arrested having failed a roadside drugs wipe test. A search of
the vehicle resulted in the seizure of Cash, Class B drugs and dealer bags. On 11th
December a male was also arrested in Arnold after the Op Reacher team spotted a
vehicle linked to the supply of controlled drugs. A search of the vehicle resulted in
the recovery of a large amount of cash. It is suspected that this is the proceeds of
drugs supply offences and the investigation is continuing.

Officers also recovered around 200 cannabis plants from a residential property on
Mapperley Plains following joint work with Western Power. On the evening of
December 29, entry was gained to the address where a cannabis grow was located. This
investigation is very much ongoing but this find has resulted in the seizure and destruction of a large amount of cannabis.

Burglary

Residential Burglary remains a priority within the Gedling Borough.

During the month of December burglary fell by 44% compared to offences recorded in November 2020.

Overall, burglary has reduced significantly this year due to COVID19 and a number of
arrests carried out by local officers and the County Burglary team.

The Carlton area remains of particular focus following a number of sheds being targeted. The latest being on Lavender Crescent, Carlton with bikes stolen overnight. Officers also
attended a report of a burglary on Standhill Road, Carlton on 30th December 30, which
resulted in the arrest of a 17 year old male for Burglary. CID colleagues are
investigating this offence.

A number of arrests have also been made in relation to a car key burglary in Woodthorpe on December 8.

In the run up to Christmas, an evening of action was carried out by Operation Reacher
officers to deter burglary offences with Christmas presents a target for offenders.

Operation Reacher

The Op Reacher team continue to go from strength to strength and have now been
working in the Gedling Borough since the end of January 2020. During that time the
team have produced some excellent results and I wanted to share an end of year
summary of their activity.

As of the end of December 2020 the team have now:

  • Carried out 38 warrants authorised by Magistrates in order to search for
  • controlled drugs. These have been obtained following intelligence gained from
  • the local community.
  • Searched a further 59 properties or vehicles linked to suspects in custody
  • Made 100 individual drug seizures whilst on patrol across the area
  • Seized 55 vehicles and issued 90 Traffic Offence Reports for offences ranging from Speeding to no insurance – 5 of the vehicles recovered were stolen and have been returned to their owners
  • Seized 34 Weapons
  • Seized over £250k in suspected criminal money
  • In addition to this the team have played a key role in the policing of the coronavirus regulations in Gedling and even found time to help distribute Easter Eggs to the local community in the early stages of the Pandemic.

The team are an excellent addition to policing in Gedling and I know that their joint work with the Neighbourhood policing team and partners will only strengthen these results in 2021.

Incident Updates

In the run up to Christmas we saw an increase in reported Shop Theft across the Gedling Borough with two hotspots identified as the Victoria Retail Park and Arnold Town Centre.

PICTURED: Police at Victoria Retail Park (IMAGE: Notts Police)

The Neighbourhood policing team carried out a number of proactive policing operations working together with Gedling CCTV and local retailers. As a result of this a 39-year-old male was identified as having committed a number of shop theft offences as well as having assaulted a shop worker who challenged him. The Gedling neighbourhood team investigated these offences resulting in 8 charges and the male being recalled to prison in time for Christmas. We are continuing to work together with local retailers in order to set up shop watch schemes which will see the sharing of information around shop theft offenders.

We are also investigating after a male was assaulted with a baseball bat in Arnold on the evening December 21. The victim had his mobile phone and car keys stolen in the incident which happened on Galway Road. Thankfully the victim’s injuries are minor and we are now carrying out a thorough investigation to try and identify those responsible. If you have any information then please let us know quoting incident 625 of 21/12.

Coronavirus

We are continuing to work closely with our partners in order to police the coronavirus regulations.

Tier 4 has now increased the restrictions locally and we are still taking the proportionate approach of Engage, Explain and Encourage where appropriate. However sadly a number of fixed penalty notices have been issued following house parties that have taken place over Christmas and New Year.

I would urge you all to follow the local restrictions so that we can protect our NHS and save lives. We will not hesitate to take action where necessary as it is vital to protect our local communities.

If you are unsure of the regulations then they can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4- stay-at-home

Castle Rock suspends a number of employees at Gedling pub after ‘racist and homophobic language’ was allegedly used in staff private group chat

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Castle Rock suspends a number of employees at Gedling pub after ‘racist and homophobic language’ was allegedly used in staff private group chat

A brewery has suspended a number of employees from one of its pubs in Gedling after ‘racist and homophobic language’ was allegedly used in a staff WhatsApp private group chat.

Castle Rock issued a statement on their social media channels saying they were now investigating the alleged incident involving a number of employees at The Willowbrook pub on Main Road.

In the statement posted this evening (January 3), the brewery said: “A senior executive meeting took place this morning. We can confirm that multiple individuals have been suspended and other employees at the site in question are under investigation.

Castle Rock issued a statement on Twitter earlier today

“Many are demanding immediate dismissal of the employees involved in this incident. However, the UK has strict employment laws and we must follow the process these set out.

Willowbrook Gedling
PICTURED: The Willowbrook in Gedling Village

“This investigation is complicated by the number of employees who may be involved. Subsequently, the investigation will likely take a number of days. We assure you it is being treated with the utmost importance.”

“We ask our customers, employees and those that have been affected or upset by this incident to allow us some time to address the issues and manage the investigation in accordance with the law and best practice. We will continue to update you wherever we are able.

“We send heartfelt apologies to our colleagues and customers.”

In an earlier statement they confirmed they had been in contact with those making the allegations.

The brewery said: “We have spoken with the individuals who reported it and will continue to work closely with them over the coming days.

“This particular exchange may form part of a larger investigation, due to further accusations made. We will always be as transparent and open as possible about the steps we are taking.”

Man charged after officer has ‘earring ripped out’ and another ‘is punched’ during incident in Gedling

Gedling Eye
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Man charged after officer has ‘earring ripped out’ and another ‘is punched’ during incident in Gedling

A man has been charged with three counts of assaulting an emergency worker following an incident in Gedling.

It is alleged a police officer’s earring was ripped out and another was punched in the face during the incident at an address in Lymn Avenue during the early hours of Wednesday (December 30). A third officer was pushed during the incident which led to a man being arrested at the scene.

A 40-year old man appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (December 31, 2020) charged with three counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

PICTURED: Lymn Avenue in Gedling

He was bailed to re-appear at the same court on February 25, 2021.

Inspector Chris Pearson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Officer assaults are totally unacceptable. Thankfully the officers in this incident were not seriously hurt but we will not tolerate assaults on police officers and other frontline emergency workers.

“They should not have to suffer violence at any time nor as they continue to serve the public in these challenging times.

“The message is loud and clear that anyone who commits offences of this nature can expect to be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”

Carlton and Netherfield road to close overnight later this month while vital level crossing works take place

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Carlton and Netherfield road to close overnight later this month while vital level crossing works take place

A busy main road in Netherfield and Carlton will close overnight while vital works take place on a level crossing later this month.

Works are being carried out overnight to minimise disruption.

Victoria Road will be closed 20 metres either side while the works take place on Tuesday, January 19 until 6am on Wednesday, January 20.

It will then be closed from 11pm on January 20 until 6am on January 21.

The road will be closed to all traffic and pedestrians during these times

Alternative routes are in place.

People in Gedling borough warned of Covid vaccine text scam

Gedling Eye Reporter
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People in Gedling borough warned of Covid vaccine text scam

People living in Gedling borough have been warned about a text message scam asking people to “sign up” for the coronavirus vaccine.

The fake text message claims to be from the NHS and tells people in the borough they are eligible to apply for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The message reads: “NHS: We have identified that your are eligible to apply for your vaccine” and advises recipients to follow a link to an “application form” for more information and to “apply.”

This link goes to a convincing fake NHS website that asks for personal details.

The website then asks for his bank and card details in order to “confirm identity.”

Consumer website Which? uncovered the scam and also found that the fake site was only registered a week ago — ‘another reason to be suspicious’, the said.

PICTURED: A screenshot of the fake scam text claiming to be from the NHS

With the recent approval of COVID-19 vaccines in the UK, “these types of scam attempts are likely to continue as fraudsters look to take advantage of the rollout to so many people,” Which? warned.

Which? has also had reports of cold calling scams regarding the vaccine, with scammers asking people to pay for it over the phone.

Arnold resident Jim Noble also flagged the hoax text to Gedling Eye.

“It’s quite convincing,’ he said.

“I’ve had genuine texts from my GP surgery and the NHS before so texts aren’t a surprise. I remember seeing on your website that public health bosses were telling everyone vulnerable would be first and I’m not one of those, so I was suspicious.

On Twitter, consumer expert Claer Barrett explained how the latest text scam that is doing the rounds this week, works.

“The link leads to this fake, yet convincing, website to fool you into entering card details. A big clue this is fake? – spelling errors. Plus, you don’t need to pay. The NHS is free at the point of use, and over-80s are the priority group for vaccines. If in doubt, call your GP,” she said.

“Scammers know we’re in a fragile mental state, and that these kinds of ‘urgent – you must act now’ messages will catch us off-guard.

“In all cases, breathe and take a step back. If it’s an unprompted link on a text, asking for lots of personal details and your credit card number, it’s almost certainly a scam. If you’re not sure, phone a friend,” she added.

Mapped: Covid cases and infection rates by Gedling borough neighbourhood

Gedling Eye
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Mapped: Covid cases and infection rates by Gedling borough neighbourhood

The Government has updated information revealing how many cases of coronavirus have been recorded in Gedling borough neighbourhoods over a seven-day period.

The data reveals most places have seen a significant drop in the weekly period up until December 27.

The biggest decrease was 19 in Gedling South.

Mapperley and Porchester reported the biggest increase of 17.

You can see the details for each Government-defined neighbourhood in the borough below.

Seven–day rates are expressed per 100,000 population and are calculated by dividing the seven day count by the area population and multiplying by 100,000.

Arnold Town

Total cases – 15 a decrease of 11 (-42.3%)

Rolling rate is 246.3

Bestwood Village

Total cases – 16 a decrease of -9 (-36.0%)

Rolling rate is 264.4

Burton Joyce and Lambley

Total cases – 17 no change

Rolling rate is 273.3

Calverton & Woodborough

Total cases – 35 an increase of 11 (45.8%)

Rolling rate is 371.7

Coronavirus
Infections are on the rise in most areas

Carlton

Total cases – 20 a decrease of 18 (- 47.4%)

Rolling rate is 196.9

Carlton Hill

Total cases – 17 a decrease of 1 (-5.6%)

Rolling rate is 239.2

Daybrook

Total cases – 17 an increase of 3 (21.4%)

Rolling rate is 291.2

Gedling North

Total cases – 20 a decrease of -10 (-33.3%)

Rolling rate is 248.9

Gedling South

Total cases – 9 an decrease by – 19 (-67.9%)

Rolling rate is 100.4

Mapperley & Porchester

Total cases – 20 an increase of 17 (566.7%)

Rolling rate – 229.5

Netherfield & Colwick

Total cases – 19 a decrease of -5 (-20.8%)

Rolling rate – 249.0

Ravenshead & Newstead (Including Linby and Papplewick)

Total cases – 18 which is unchanged (0.0%)

Rolling rate – 217.1

Redhill

Total cases – 21 an increase of 15 (250.0%)

Rolling rate – 293.3

Woodthorpe & Arno Vale

Total cases – 21 a decrease of -14 (-40%)

Rolling rate– 293.3

Shoplifters who targeted store in Arnold due in court

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Shoplifters who targeted store in Arnold due in court

Two shoplifters who targeted a store in Arnold during a pre-Christmas stealing spree will be sentenced next month.

Michael Delaney, 31, and Toni Curtain, 23, both of Winterton Rise in Bestwood were arrested thanks to good work by Nottinghamshire Police’s City North Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The pair had been identified via CCTV and reports from Co-op stores in Coppice Road and also Beckhampton Road in Bestwood as being responsible for numerous shop thefts between October 18, 2020 and December 18, 2020.

Following their arrests on December 27, 2020 they were interviewed and subsequently charged with 15 and 14 shop thefts respectively.

They were remanded to Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on December 28 where they pled guilty to 26 of the 29 charges. Both admitted 13 charges.

Magistrates-Court
PICTURED: Nottingham Magistrates’ Court

They were both released on conditional bail, including not to associate with each other and not to enter any Co-op store in Nottinghamshire.

They are next due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on February 15, 2021.

Sergeant Oliver Vale, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Shoplifting has a significant impact on businesses in our communities, many of which are already struggling due to the impact of Covid-19.

“We have worked with the affected stores to identify the suspects and get a strong evidential package together resulting in the pair pleading guilty to the vast majority of offences.

“While many members of neighbourhood policing team staff from Bestwood and Arnold have been involved in the investigation, I would like to thank PC Chris Armstrong for his tenacity and diligence in collating the offences and the time spent in bringing the pair to justice.”

Work on possible tram extension to Gedling ‘not top priority’ for city council, transport boss says

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Work on possible tram extension to Gedling ‘not top priority’ for city council, transport boss says

Work to develop new extensions to the tram network –including one to Gedling –remains an ambition, but has ‘not been the top priority’ given the pressures of the pandemic, the head of transport in Nottingham has said. 

Four network extensions are proposed, and outline business cases are still expected to be drawn up, but spades will not be going into the ground without ‘significant external funding’.

Two of the extensions are relatively small in scale. The first would see a short new stretch of track from Clifton Park and Ride to the huge new Fairham Pastures development. 

The other would be an extension from Toton Park and Ride to the proposed new HS2 station at Toton, although a recent report threw up doubt as to whether the station should instead be built elsewhere.

The other two extensions are more significant in scope – one potentially going through the new Waterside development and out towards Gedling, and the other going towards Giltbrook Retail Park.

Feasibility studies for these were included in the city council’s successful bids to the Government as part of the Transforming Cities Fund.

However a huge raft of active travel measures have been introduced by the council this year to help people travel more safely during the pandemic. 

New temporary road pedestrianisation, temporary cycle lanes and measures to incentivise active transport have been prioritised this year over the tram extensions, according to the portfolio for transport Adele Williams, who is also the Labour councillor for Sherwood.

In an interview, she said: “I think it’s fair to say the extensions to the tram remain ambitions.  

“Our mission is to expand the tram network because we know that the tram has been really successful in getting people out of their cars and onto public transport and it has brought employment to the city and to greater Nottingham.

“Obviously things are very difficult at the moment (for transport providers).

“So it is an ambition, but we recognise – and we always did – that we will need significant external funding.

“It is interesting that the government named the first tranche of the travel fund The Emergency Active Travel Fund because we were in a situation where we had to react really fast to the challenges with transport so I think focus has been elsewhere.

“So while it remains an ambition at the moment, progressing that isn’t the highest priority because of the situation in the economy and with transport and the other challenges we’re dealing with across the city as we’re all going through this very difficult time.”

The ambition to extend the tram network is also put forward in the city’s post-Covid Economic Recovery and Renewal Plan, which has been put together by leading figures from the city’s most prominent organisations. 

It says a £10 million investment could help: “(Develop) the business cases for the Toton, Clifton and Gedling extensions, to connect areas of housing growth with areas of employment expansion, and reduce carbon emissions, bringing benefits beyond the city.”

It goes on to say this could bring about: “Reduced congestion and connecting people to job opportunities, and lower carbon emissions.”

‘Covid loves a crowd’: People in Gedling borough urged to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home in new ad campaign

Gedling Eye Reporter
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‘Covid loves a crowd’: People in Gedling borough urged to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home in new ad campaign

People in Gedling borough planning to celebrate the New Year are being told to steer clear of parties because “COVID loves a crowd”.

The Government has today launched a campaign urging people to act like they have the virus and to stay at home

The campaign will remind people of the rapidly rising rate of coronavirus infections, asymptomatic transmission, and pressures facing NHS hospitals

‘See in the New Year safely at home’ is running across radio, print media during New Year’s Eve.

It comes at a time where current data shows Covid-19 cases are at an all-time high.

The advertising reiterates people should not meet up with friends or family indoors, unless they are in the same household or support bubble, and they should avoid large gatherings of any kind.

The adverts remind the public how easily COVID-19 can be spread. 1 in 3 people who have Covid-19 have no symptoms and as such the public should act like they have the virus to avoid spreading it without realising. The new strain of the virus spreads even faster than before and NERVTAG’s early analysis suggested it could increase R by 0.4 or greater. 

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:  “With our NHS under pressure we must all take personal responsibility this New Year’s Eve and stay at home.

“I know how much we have all sacrificed this year and  we cannot let up. Over 600,000 people have now been vaccinated and we are close to beating this virus.

“Now more than ever, we need to pull together to save lives and protect our NHS. If we continue to do our bit by staying at home, we can get through this together.”

Molly’s marathon effort nets £1,000 for Hospice in Mapperley

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Molly’s marathon effort nets £1,000 for Hospice in Mapperley

Three generations of a Mapperley family have supported Nottinghamshire Hospice’s Light up a Life appeal in memory of a much-missed husband, father and grandfather. 

Stuart Davison received care from the hospice at the end of his life, enabling him to be discharged from hospital and spend his last weeks at home with family around him. 

His granddaughter Molly, 22, pledged to run the equivalent of a full marathon each week throughout the festive season to raise funds to say thank you for her granddad’s care. 

She’s been running the distance around the Middlesbrough area where she currently lives, doing runs of around six miles in the morning before work and half marathons at the weekend. She runs in all weathers. Her last run was on Christmas Eve, bringing the total distance ran in four weeks to 111 miles.

Molly smashed her original target of £350 – the cost of providing care for a night – in less than 24 hours, doubled her target to £700 and has smashed that too – raising £750. She’s now put that together with some funds she raised earlier in the year to make a grand total of £1,000. 

Stuart was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2014 and given a year to live, but the cancer quickly progressed and he was taken to Nottingham’s City hospital. He wanted to be at home so the hospice stepped in to care for him in his final weeks. He died at home aged 62.

PICTURED: Molly has raised £1000 for Nottinghamshire Hospice

“It meant so much that he could come home to Grandma,” said Molly. “He had a hospital bed at home and night support from the hospice from ten at night till seven in the morning.  It meant he had more time with Grandma. He wrote a diary every day in those final weeks where he got his thoughts and feelings down on paper.  He might not have felt comfortable doing that in the hospital setting.

“The hospice care was wonderful. So I wanted to say thank you for all the work they did for Granddad. It helped the whole family.

“Christmas 2020 has been difficult for all of us, but for people approaching the end of their lives, and their families, it will be an especially hard time. Nottinghamshire Hospice provide invaluable palliative end of life care and support those who really need it. It’s a charity close to my family’s heart. I’m proud to be able to support them.”

Molly’s auntie Gemma (Stuart’s daughter) has also supported the appeal, purchasing several of the festive Forget-Me-Not flowers in her father’s memory. 

And Molly’s Grandma, Carole, has given her time to volunteer for at the hospice shop in Mapperley for years as a way of saying thank you for her husband’s care. 

In the new year the family also plan to light up Nottinghamshire Hospice’s historic tower in purple – Stuart’s favourite colour – to remember and celebrate his life. 

Rebecca Taylor, Community Fundraiser at Nottinghamshire Hospice, said: “It’s wonderful that all three generations have chosen to support us in different ways to honour Stuart’s memory. We’re so grateful for their longstanding support and the funds raised by Molly’s challenge will go a long way in supporting another family.”

To find out how you can support the hospice, go to https://www.nottshospice.org/support-us/

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