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Teenager sentenced for knifepoint robberies in Mapperley

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A teenager has been sentenced after pleading guilty to robbing three youths at knifepoint in Mapperley.

He was also sentenced for carrying a knife following a shooting in St Ann’s.

The boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, and another offender followed three boys as they left a restaurant in Woodborough Road, Mapperley, on December 27, 2017.

They approached the boys, one of whom was asked what they had to give to them.

The offenders walked off empty-handed but a short time later they approached the same group of teenagers in Robinson Road and asked them ‘what have you got for us?’

After one of the group replied ‘nothing’ the defendant produced a machete from a bag and waved it towards them.

They searched the three victims who were told to empty their pockets. The offenders took a small quantity of cash from them before running off.

The defendant was arrested at home on February 22, 2018 after being identified from CCTV.

Nottingham Youth Court heard that the same defendant also pleaded guilty to possessing a knife in a public place and possessing cannabis after being detained by armed officers in St Ann’s on 4 June 2018.

The officers, who had attended a shooting in St Anns Well Road, saw the boy running away from the scene as they searched the area. He was also seen hiding behind a wall.

After he was detained the boy told the officers that his friend had called him, saying he’d been shot, so he armed himself with a knife from home and went to the area to help his friend.

Officers found a knife, which the boy had discarded, in a sheath on the floor next to the wall.

When the boy was searched by officers they found four small bags of cannabis and he was further arrested.

He was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders’ institute when he appeared in court yesterday (Wednesday 27 June 2018). He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Speaking after his sentencing City Chief Inspector Donna Lawton, the Force’s knife crime lead, said: “We will always do all we can to ensure perpetrators of violent offences are placed before the courts and we always strive to ensure the best possible outcomes are reached.

“As a community we are stronger when we work together. We want to work together with parents, community groups, schools, health services, local councils and other agencies to make it clear that carrying a knife should never be seen as acceptable and our lives are better without them.

“There is no need to carry a knife in Nottinghamshire. Those who do choose to carry a knife will be at much greater risk of coming to harm, and may have the very knife that they were carrying used against them.

“Knives destroy more than just a life. The real impact of carrying a knife is felt by entire families and ultimately our communities.

“We constantly review how we can do the best we can to make Nottinghamshire even safer for you – and we know education plays a big part in that. For that reason we are reintroducing Schools and Early Intervention Officers into schools across Nottinghamshire to help educate youngsters about positive life choices, including steering clear of weapon-enabled violence.

“We also have a dedicated Knife Crime Team – the only dedicated Knife Crime Team outside of the Metropolitan Police – which is continuing to make Nottinghamshire safer by taking weapons off the streets of Nottingham.

“We all have a part to play in tackling and reducing knife crime. To be our most effective we also rely on public support.

“We would urge people to keep talking to us and give us any information they have about crimes that impact on them. The more information we have the better equipped we are to put the resources where they are most needed.”

For more information and advice visit https://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/advice/knife-crime

Police probe break-ins at two properties in Woodthorpe

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Police are appealing for information after two properties in Woodthorpe were broken into overnight earlier this week.

A garage and an outbuilding at two neighbouring properties were broken into on Albermarle Road overnight between June 25 and 26.

Woodthorpe_bike
PICTURED: A Intuitive Gamma Hybrid Bike, like the one above, was stolen from a property in Woodthorpe

Items were taken from within the building, including a black & grey Intuitive Gamma Hybrid mountain bike.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “If you witnessed these incidents or have any information, please call us.”

You can contact police on 101 quoting incident 261 of the 26th June or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bag of Scottish peat among list of strange gifts offered to Notts police officers

Half a plastic bags’ worth of Scottish peat made the list of weird gifts offered to police officers in Notts by members of the public, which was published today.

An umbrella, a scarf, Champagne and a coffee machine all make the list of gifts and offers of hospitality received by the police since 2014.

A police dog was offered a dog chew and a bone by a member of the public – this offer was accepted.

Alcohol is one of the most common gifts for officers, including a bottle of Bacardi rum and several bottles of whisky – however all offers of alcohol have been declined, in keeping with the official force guidelines.

Victims of crime, foreign governments and local mosques, synagogues and churches have all made offers of gifts to police constables and senior officers.

A skincare gift set and a coffee machine were accepted by one constable, while chocolates, costume jewellery, a purse, candle holders and foot cream were accepted by another, from the family of a victim of crime.

A spokesman for the police said all gifts are recorded whether accepted or refused.

Notts-police

He said: “During the course of their work, police officers or police staff may receive offers of gifts and hospitality.

“The most fundamental element of the gifts and hospitality policy is that staff and officers are in positions where they serve the public and therefore the public have a right to expect them to do so: selflessly; with integrity and objectivity; are accountable, open, honest and lead by example.

“All offers of gifts and hospitality, whether accepted or rejected, must be recorded in the gifts and hospitality register.

“On most occasions it would be inappropriate to accept them, although there may be specific circumstances where it would be appropriate.

“Therefore, offers of gifts and hospitality should typically be declined, except where there is a valid reason to believe that refusing the offer may cause offence or damage working relationships.

“The register provides a mechanism for recording offers of gifts and hospitality, action taken (i.e. acceptance or rejection) and the rationale for the chosen action. It enables individuals to conduct operational relationships without fear of subsequent allegations of impropriety.”

15 bizarre gifts made to Nottinghamshire Police

1. An officer received a bundle of gifts in 2015 from the parent of a missing person. These including biscuits, chocolate, chocolate liqueurs and some ‘stockings’. Only the biscuits were accepted.

2. A half-filled carrier bag of Scottish peat was accepted by a constable from the father of a victim in January 2017.

3. A New South Wales police hat from Australia was accepted back in June 2017 by a police delegation during an overseas visit.

4. £10 was offered to a detective constable by the mother of an RTC victim. However, this offer was declined. One officer registered an offer of £2 from a member of the public, but also declined the gift.

5. Two officers registered scrap wood as a gift – one from builders who were due to put the wood in a skip, and another from building work at Oxclose Lane Station.

6. A painting by a victim of crime was presented to a constable back in May 2016. This was accepted.

7. A small pair of binoculars was given by a Dutch Police delegation in April last year. They  came complete with a belt pouch, and were accepted. The delegation also gave top cops at the force some embossed battery packs, a pack of dutch biscuits and some key rings.

8. The partner of a person involved in a fatal road traffic collision gave a detective constable a scarf, coaster and vase.

9. A pumpkin was offered and accepted to raise money for a charity.

10. The mother of a victim of crime gave a constable a low GI dieting cookbook. This was accepted.

11. Home-made jam was also registered twice – both from the family of crime victims.

Work begins on first phase of Teal Close development near Netherfield

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Work has now begun on a major new development near Netherfield which will create 830 new homes over the coming years.

Persimmon Homes Nottingham has started works on its first phase of 199 homes, off Teal Close, which is located near Victoria Retail Park.

The Rivendell development, as it will become known, is a landmark 135-acre site which was formerly owned by Severn Trent plc and Gedling Borough Council.

Neil Follows, managing director at Persimmon Homes said: “This major new development forms an integral part of our construction and growth programme within Nottinghamshire.

“Rivendell is just two miles from Gedling, which provided the inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. With being so close we wanted to choose a name in the memory of this classic novel.”

“The developments first phase will feature a collection of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes to suit a range of budgets and lifestyles.”

“Initial ground works have begun with construction works commencing over the coming months. We are working towards welcoming our first customers in December.

He added: “This site is more than just about building new homes, we are creating a new community. As part of our planning obligations, contributions will be made towards education, healthcare and public transport as well as further provisions for new recreation areas, allotments, a community building and new primary school in the future.”

Customers interested in properties at Rivendell are asked to register their interest by visiting www.persimmonhomes.com.

Gedling Gala set to return after two-year absence

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A historic gala is set to be staged for the first time in almost two years this weekend after a new team of volunteers took over the event and restored it to the borough’s  calendar.

The Gedling Gala has been held every summer in Willow Park since 1977 and attracts on average 2,500 visitors for each event.

The previous committee who had organised the event for the past forty years decided it was time to move on and hand over the reigns to the next generation of organisers – this resulted in a gap, with no event taking place in 2017.

But now the event is returning on July 7 and promises to be bigger and better than ever.

PICTURED: People enjoy the first Gedling Village Family Gala back in 1977 (PICTURE: Bill Fenton)

This year’s event will again take place on Willow Park between 12pm-4.30pm – and will be officially opened by the Mayor of Gedling at 1pm.

There will be entertainment in the Arena and the Music Marquee as well as stalls, bouncy castle, children’s activities, food, ice cream and much more.  

This year’s Gala will have a heroes theme – with a fancy dress parade taking place at 2pm giving children and adults dressed as their favourite superheroes the chance to win prizes.

Entry to the Gedling Gala  will be free. 

You can find out more details on the Gala website www.gedling-gala.org.uk or find us on Facebook.

Explosion reported at Colwick Industrial Estate

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A man has been hospitalised following an explosion on Colwick Industrial Estate earlier today.

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed they had been made aware of an incident this morning (Wednesday, June 27).

Firefighters say they were called to an incident on Road Number 7 just before 9am.

The spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police confirmed: “A man has been taken to hospital”

PICTURED: Firefighters on the scene at Colwick Industrial Park (PICTURE: Alltruck2)
PICTURED: Staff from several businesses are evacuated
PICTURED: Firefighters at the scene of the explosion (Picture supplied by Alltruck2)

Staff at nearby Alltruck2 heard the explosion and were one of the businesses to be evacuated.

Kieran Matthews, Alltruck’s digital marketing executive said: “I was working in the office, so only heard a bang but didn’t think much of it. Working in an industrial estate you get used to these sort of noises, however not long after that we got evacuated from the building.”

Alltruck2’s repair technician, Kevin Sarsfield told Gedling Eye: “I was working and heard a loud bang and felt the ground shake, and then half an hour later we were evacuated.”

A spokesman for Nottingham Fire and Rescue said: “A gas cylinder was being vented and that was involved in fire; it then spread to 10 other gas cylinders.”

Severn Trent issues heatwave water supply warning to people in Gedling borough

Severn Trent is urging people in the borough to be more sparing with their water use to avoid a shortage during the summer heatwave.

Customers are being advised to avoid taking baths and washing their cars during the scorching temperatures.

Severn Trent confirmed that, while it always expects to see an increase in demand for water, usage has been significantly more than normal.

They have said that customers are using millions of litres more water every single day as they enjoy the sun and high temperatures.

The company is now asking customers to use water carefully, to help avoid any issues with pressures dropping during peak demand in the mornings and evenings.

Severn Trent has confirmed that they have plenty of water stored and reservoir levels are healthy. That water however, then needs to be treated through its treatment works before being pumped into supply.

As fast as it is being produced and put into supply, it is being used by customers which can cause isolated areas of low pressure for people.

The company has increased its production capacity by millions of extra litres a day, but it’s also asking to customers to be neighbourly and help to use their water carefully to try and prevent low pressure for their communities.

They are specifically asking people to:

1.     Put their garden sprinklers away – a sprinkler can use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour – which is more water than a family of four would normally use in a whole day

2.    Take a shower rather than a bath – It uses 40 litres less water and it’s quicker, which means you can get back out and enjoy the sunshine

3.    Avoid washing their cars, but if they have to use a bucket and sponge rather than a hose. If you clean your car for 30 minutes you’ll use 50 times less water with a bucket instead of a hose

Water efficiency manager, Doug Clarke explained, “Demand for water is massively up thanks to several weeks of extremely hot weather.

“While we have lots of water available and our reservoir levels are healthy and we’re putting millions of extra litres of water into the system, people are using water as fast as we can treat and pump it into supply. This is particularly the case during peak demand in the morning and evenings when we want to ask customers to restrict their supply so we can avoid areas of low pressure.

“We know how tempting it is to fill the paddling pool up, or get the sprinkler going, but to put things into perspective, a sprinkler can use as much as 1,000 litres of drinking water in just one hour.

He added: “We urge everyone to play their part and be extra careful with their water, especially during peak times.”

Police warn Gedling borough residents not to fall victim to ‘courier fraud’ after rise in reports

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Police are warning residents in Gedling borough not to fall foul of “courier fraud” after a rise in reports across the area.

Courier fraud is when the offender cold calls the victim posing as an official such as a police officer or a member of a bank’s fraud team.

They will instruct the victim to go to their bank and withdraw money. The offender will claim that they are investigating staff at the bank that they need the victim’s help in some kind of undercover operation and they need the victim to withdraw money so that it can be examined.

During these recent incidents the fraudsters have been using the following reasons for victims to withdraw cash:

– Some money has been removed from a victim’s bank account and staff at their local bank branch are responsible.

– Suspects have already been arrested but the “police” need money for evidence.

– A business such as a jewellers or currency exchange is operating fraudulently and they require assistance to help secure evidence.

A spokesman for Action Fraud said: “Victims are then asked to cooperate in an investigation by attending their bank and withdrawing money, withdrawing foreign currency from an exchange or purchasing an expensive item to hand over to a courier for examination who will also be a fraudster. Again, to reassure the victim, a safe word might be communicated to the victim so the courier appears genuine.

“At the time of handover, unsuspecting victims are promised the money they’ve handed over or spent will be reimbursed but in reality there is no further contact and the money is never seen again.”

Fraud-busters Action Fraud has now issued the following advice to help people protect themselves from this fraud:

Protect Yourself

Your bank or the police will never:

– Phone and ask you for your PIN or full banking password.

– Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping, or send someone to your home to collect cash, PIN, cards or cheque books if you are a victim of fraud.

Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic
Just because someone knows your basic details (such as your name and address or even your mother’s maiden name), it doesn’t mean they are genuine. Be mindful of who you trust – criminals may try and trick you into their confidence by telling you that you’ve been a victim of fraud

Stay in control

If something feels wrong then it is usually right to question it. Have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for personal or financial information.

For more information about how to protect yourself online visit

www.cyberaware.gov.uk  and www.takefive.stopfraud.org.uk

Talented athlete from Gedling raises over £1200 for his Special Olympics team

A talented young athlete from Gedling has raised over £1200 to help fund the use of a coach and also new kits for his Special Olympics team.

Mile Green (pictured, above, left) held a fundraising barbecue over the weekend to help fund kits and transport for his team representing the region at the forthcoming Special Olympics.

The event, which took place at Greyfriars club in St Ann’s, raised £1290 in total.

PICTURED: Stirling University will be hosting the Anniversary Games in August

Miles Green is part of the 27-strong team from Special Olympics East Midlands who will be competing against other teams in athletic events, football, badminton and table tennis at the Special Olympics GB Anniversary Games in Stirling from August 13.

The Anniversary Games will celebrate both Special Olympics GB’s 40th birthday (SOGB was founded in 1978) and also the 50th birthday of the worldwide Special Olympics global movement, set up in 1968 by President Kennedy’s sister Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

The Games will involve approximately 1,000 athletes and 400 coaches and officials.  As well as athletes from all GB Regions, a number of European countries will be invited to take part in the Games.

‘Red bag’ scheme wins praise from Carlton care home

A scheme which aims to make transferring care home residents to hospitals in an emergency quicker has won praise from a care home in Carlton.

The hospital transfer pathway, or ‘red bag’ scheme, which was introduced in October 2017, sees care home staff pack a dedicated red bag if they become unwell and require hospital treatment.

The bag includes the resident’s standardised paperwork and their medication, as well as their personal items and an outfit for when they are discharged.

It ensures ambulance and hospital staff can quickly understand a resident’s condition and personal needs, and it also ensure a smooth transfer back to their ‘home’ environment.

When they leave hospital, the red bag goes back to the care home with them and has a copy of their discharge summary inside, giving the care home staff all the information they need about the treatment the resident has received and any new medication regime that may need to be implemented.

The initiative has been shown to reduce hospital delays, help stop patients losing personal items and improve communication between care home and hospital staff.

Jayne Peters,  care home manager at Moriah House in Carlton, was full of praise for the scheme.

She said: “At Moriah, we have found the Red Bag really useful because it keeps everything in one place. We have received fewer phone calls about our residents since starting to use the bags as all the information the hospital needs is with them when they arrive.”

Red_Bag_Carlton
PRAISE: A care home in Carlton has judged the ‘red bag’ scheme a success

Jane Godden, head of Commissioning Care Homes and Individual Care Packages at Greater Nottingham Clinical Commissioning Partnership, said: “The red bag scheme is a simple idea which is making a positive impact in Greater Nottingham.

It is helping to improve care for patients from care homes by ensuring that ambulance and hospital staff can easily access the information about their general health, existing conditions and medication they are taking, and any current health concerns. This helps healthcare staff to effectively determine the treatment the patient needs.

“As well as containing paperwork and medication, the red bag lets patients store important personal items like toiletries, glasses and hearing aids. They can also use it to store clothes for when they are discharged from the hospital.

“We implemented the scheme in Greater Nottingham in October 2017 alongside training for care home staff. I am pleased that it is making a positive impact on care home patients.”

The scheme has proved so successful that it’s been rolled out across the country with the help of a new quick guide published on the NHS England website.

The guide will provide care homes, trusts, CCGs and ambulance services with practical tips on how to implement the scheme.

Dr Ken Deacon, Medical Director for NHS England (North Midlands), said: “The red bag scheme is a really practical way of NHS and social care services working together to improve patient care for elderly people and speed up their discharge from hospital when they are ready to return to the more relaxed setting of a care home.”