Nottingham Post

Vandals scorch doors in street

POLICE PATROLS STEPPED UP AFTER SEVEN PROPERTIES ARE DAMAGED

- By JAKE BRIGSTOCK jake.brigstock@reachplc.com @jakebrigst­ock

RESIDENTS have spoken out after a vandal left burn marks on the front doors of houses on a street in Hucknall.

Last Saturday, between 11am and 1pm, six front doors in Beardall Street were damaged.

Ashfield Police said another house was targeted in Bestwood Road. Patrols have been stepped up as a result.

Pensioner Chris Whittaker, 68, whose door was targeted in Beardall Street, said: “I bet kids have run down this row of houses, burned the doors and then ran into the park.

“I’ve lived here for 34 years, and you can see schoolchil­dren smoking cannabis on the park outside.

“I was out when it happened, and we’ve had spates of vandalism here over the years – but it’s definitely not as bad as it used to be.”

A police community support officer has been out and about to reassure residents in the area, and other people spoke about what happened, and when they found out.

Charlotte Harrison, 22, and Tyla Perkins, 25, recently moved in together in their new home in Beardall Street.

Mr Perkins was out when the incident

I bet kids have run down this row of houses, burned the doors and then ran into the park

Chris Whittaker

happened, but Ms Harrison was in and did not hear anything.

It was only when Mr Perkins got home when they noticed what had happened.

Ms Harrison said: “I didn’t hear a thing. Around here you sometimes hear music being played on the park but that’s it – you never normally hear anyone.

“A police officer came round and asked if I had any beef with anyone, so I said that I haven’t. They’ve been good though, they’ve kept us updated throughout.”

However, other residents of Beardall Street said they were not aware of what happened.

A 32-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said: “Anything like that is pretty horrible, but I guess it could be expected when kids have to be locked up inside because of the pandemic, but I personally haven’t experience­d anything like that around here, I have to say.

“It’s not acceptable, but it’s not very surprising.

“You get youths hanging around here but there are no issues I’m aware of on the street. There’s a lot of traffic up this end but no issues.”

But Craig Innes, 33, said: “I love living around here. I never notice any crime and have never seen anything being stolen or any break-ins or anything like that.

“You see a lot of dog walkers around here, but that’s about it.”

Anyone who sees anything suspicious is asked to report it to Nottingham­shire Police on 101 or email ashfieldnp­t@nottingham­shire. pnn.police.uk.

 ?? ?? Chris Whittaker, 68, next to the burn mark left on his door in Beardall Street
Chris Whittaker, 68, next to the burn mark left on his door in Beardall Street
 ?? ?? James Stewart and Donna Reed in Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life
James Stewart and Donna Reed in Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life

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