Re-opening of Mansfield has been ‘positive and heartening’
POLICE HAVE HAD ‘VERY FEW ISSUES’ WITH ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
POLICE officers in Mansfield have experienced “very few” problems with drunks and shoplifters since the economy burst back into life.
This is the view of the town’s district commander, who has praised the way businesses have opened back up in a Covid-secure manner.
Officers had prepared for issues alongside the gradual lifting of lockdown measures, with “contingencies” in place to tackle common anti-social behaviour and alcoholrelated crimes.
But they say that the way the town has recovered from the restrictions has been “positive and heartening”, with “good planning” by businesses to ensure the town is safe.
Inspector Nick Butler, district commander for Mansfield, adds that, in general, the public has “gone the extra mile” and caused no real issues for police.
“We prepared when we knew there was going to be a gradual reopening for increased activity and contingencies,” he said.
“We expected there would be an increase, but I’ve got to say – and I don’t want to sound overly optimistic – it really has been very positive and heartening.
“We haven’t had the issues people predicted. We have had a few issues with noise, where people have lived next to closed pubs for the past 12 months and then everyone is back and they’re outdoors.
“But in terms of the ways venues
have been operating, they have been operating very well, including in the town centre.”
Inspector Butler says venues across Mansfield have implemented good measures to welcome back customers, with no real reported issues of alcohol-related anti-social behaviour.
“Good plans are in place with their own security, and so far it has been very positive,” he adds.
“There has been some good planning, and although the rules do have some interpretation, generally speaking, the advice has been good from the council and police to venue owners.
“But I also think that the people of Mansfield recognise that, if we’re going to come out of this pandemic, they’ve got to play their part.
Inspector Butler added that very few incidents of shoplifting have been reported in Mansfield town centre since the shops reopened to customers.
This comes alongside a wider reduction in crime across the district which, he says, is better than most areas in Nottinghamshire.
“Overall crime in every area has dropped, predominantly because of Covid but in Mansfield, we’ve seen probably the biggest reductions in crimes compared to other areas,” he said.
“It’s always going to be slightly difficult to be scientific [about why this is], we’ve got Operation Reacher in Mansfield now as well as great links and communications with the community.
“Recently, however, we’ve had a huge uplift in officers and this has had a positive effect on crime.
“Burglaries, robberies, street crime and even shoplifting has reduced.”
Officers will be increasing their presence over the weekend as drinkers return to pubs for the first true bank holiday of the year.
Patrols will be conducted across pub beer gardens both within the town centre and on the outskirts to ensure Covid rules are being followed.